Fire swept through the wealthy Southern California enclave of Laguna Niguel on Wednesday, burning at least six homes while scorching about 200 acres (80.9 hectares) and prompting evacuations, officials said.
Though relatively small compared to major rural wildfires in the western states, the fire spread rapidly across the ridges of the Orange County community with afternoon winds.
At least six homes burned and were likely destroyed, Brian Fennessy, fire chief of the Orange County Fire Authority, told ABC 7 Los Angeles television.
"I can safely say that at least a half a dozen homes were on fire and most likely lost. I'm confident that that number is probably higher," Fennessy said.
Aerial reporters for the news station said at least a dozen homes appeared destroyed.
The Orange County Sheriff's Department ordered evacuations for at least three streets and announced a voluntary evacuation for others.
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