Fire Burns Above Coto de Caza—For an Afternoon

Firefighters made relatively short work of a small wildfire that burned above Coto de Caza on Saturday afternoon.

About 100 firefighters fought the blaze, which was reported at 2:30 p.m. near Van Gogh Way above the Coto de Caza Golf and Racquet Club. Despite the proximity to residential structures, Orange County Fire Authority spokesman Greg McKeown said no homes were threatened.

By 5 p.m., some of the 10 engines were being released from the scene. Still, onlookers could see red emergency vehicles snaked along the ridge. All told, 10 engines, three hand crews and a couple of patrol units were involved in the effort, McKeown said.

The fire burned between five and eight acres. By 6 p.m., McKeown said firefighters were "mopping up." There was still smoldering on the hillside, and it probably would be well into the night before it was considered contained. He said that in order for a fire to be considered contained, and crews must dig a dirt line around it.

"For the most part, it's out," McKeown said.