A vegetation fire burned Wednesday afternoon near the Ortega Highway in Rancho Mission Viejo, scorching more than 200 acres and forcing a closure of part of the highway before its forward progress was stopped, officials said.
The Gibby fire was reported just after 2 p.m. and grew to 150 acres within an hour, according to the Orange County Fire Authority. Watch Duty, a nonprofit that monitors wildfires in the region, said the fire had grown to roughly 450 acres by 3:30 p.m.
Residents near the fire, at Camp Wilderness Park, and at Rancho Carrillo were urged to shelter in place, according to Cal Fire. The nearby Camp Wilderness Park and its campgrounds are closed, the OC Parks announced on social media.
Orange County Fire Authority firefighters carry various tools as they prepare to head south of Ortega Highway on foot while battling the Gibby Fire in Trabuco Canyon on Wednesday, September 2, 2026. (Photo by Jeff Antenore, Orange County Register/SCNG)
As of 4:15 p.m., the fire was being mapped at about 216 acres, according to Watch Duty.
“Fortunately the smoke column has lifted and we’ve gotten a more accurate perimeter,” said OCFA Incident Commander Chief Cheyne Maule at about 4:45 p.m.
The fire’s forward progress was stopped at about 6 p.m. at 250 acres, according to Watch Duty.
Crews with OCFA and other agencies were attacking the fire from the ground and air using dozers, a helicopter and a fixed-wing aircraft.
California Highway Patrol officers closed Ortega Highway eastbound at Gateway in Rancho Mission Viejo and westbound at Grand in Lake Elsinore, CHP Officer Brian Kinsey told City News Service. Drivers were urged to avoid the area and take alternative routes such as routes 91, 76, 78 or Interstate 5.
“No homes are currently threatened. Please continue to avoid the area,” the OCFA said in a social media post.
This is a developing story. Please check back later for updates.