A fast-moving brush fire, dubbed the Gibby Fire, erupted Wednesday afternoon in Orange County, California, prompting shelter-in-place orders and significant highway closures.
The fire was first reported shortly after 2 p.m. near Ortega Highway in Rancho Mission Viejo. By 4:45 p.m., the blaze had consumed 216 acres and was spreading at a moderate rate, with officials warning it could potentially grow to 1,000 acres.
The Rancho Carrillo community and nearby commercial structures were directly threatened by the flames. Shelter-in-place orders were issued for Zone ORT01 in Orange County around 4 p.m., followed shortly by an order for Zone RVC-2074 in Riverside County, due to the fire's proximity to the county line.
The California Highway Patrol closed Ortega Highway in both directions between Rancho Mission Viejo and Lake Elsinore, urging motorists to avoid the area. Caspers Wilderness Park was also closed as a result of the fire.
While no evacuation orders had been issued as of late Wednesday afternoon, officials noted that conditions were rapidly changing. Firefighters were actively working to contain the blaze.
![A brush fire burning near Ortega Highway, with a "No Trespassing" sign, and smoke filling the sky.]( "A brush fire burning near Ortega Highway, with a "No Trespassing" sign, and smoke filling the sky.")
