Million dollar homes have been engulfed by flames after devastating fires broke out in the US.
The blaze broke out in Orange County, California, on Wednesday as brush fires took over homes looking on to the Pacific.
Shocking video and pictures show the trail of destruction left in its wake as residents were forced to flee their homes.
The fire started near a water treatment plant in the middle of Laguna Niguel and Laguna Beach at around 2.45pm yesterday, ABC7 reported.
Within six hours it had spread to a massive area of nearly 200 acres.
Orange County Sheriff's Capt anin Virgil Asuncion said "at least" 20 homes were caught in the Coastal Fire and about 100 homes were potentially in its path.
Ocean winds fanned the flames, bringing fire to the hills - where properties exchange hands for millions of dollars.
Firefighters said the blaze did not threaten Laguna Beach, but evacuations were ordered from neighbouring Laguna Niguel.
There are no reports of injuries reported as a result of the fire.
Orange County Supervisor Lisa Bartlett. said: "We have the entire region focused on this fire right now to make sure we have every fire engine available in the area to put this fire out."
An emergency order was still in in place in Laguna Niguel last night.
Britain Fennessy, chief of the Orange County Fire Authority, said the fire stretched to 195 acres last night, but the wind blew embers into areas steep that had not burned for decades.
Climate change, he said, had made even small fires into extreme threats to life and property.
Those living in Pacific Island Drive and Coronado Pointe were also ordered to leave their homes by officials.
A £5.4million ($6.6 million) mansion lost its roof entirely, while firefighters battled to save the structure and properties nearby.
Explosions were reported to have been heard in one property which were thought to be the sound of ammunition exploding.
Laguna Beach high school was evacuated but there were no reports of injuries at 10pm local time.
Couple Cheryl and Mark Flohr said they were impressed by the fire service's evacuation efforts.
They told The Orange County Register their home is in Palmea, next to badly damaged Coronado Pointe.
Mrs Flohr said: "Fred Minegar, the mayor in 2020, immediately engaged and drove up and down the streets honking letting residents know.
"They were so ready for us. I'm proud of my community and Laguna Niguel."
Mr Flohr knew there was a fire when he heard an overhead aircraft overhead and saw smoke.
They removed what was important to them including picture albums, hard drives, devices and irreplaceable personal items.
Mrs Flohr added: "We came here first because we wanted to be where the information was."
"It's all about defending the homes that have not already burned," Brian Fennessy of the Orange County Fire Authority, told ABC 7.
"The firefighters behind me are really putting on an aggressive fight."
He expected winds to die down slowing the spread of the fire, but the service was now concentrating on the hill top city of Laguna Niguel.
Laguna Beach has been home to celebrities including Diane Keaton, Bette Midler screenwriter and producer Ryan Murphy, and Hollywood's Golden Age star, Bette Davis.
The area is like a tinderbox because of a serious drought in California
Mr Fenessy added: "Unfortunately I think this is what we're going to be experiencing over the next several weeks and years.
"The vegetation is so dry it is not taking much for the fire to take off running and burn very quickly."
The Emerald fire on February 24 was the last major blaze in the area and took over 150 acres before it was extinguished.
Dry and hot weather in first three months of 2022 have broken records but also sparked other blazes.
Gavin Newsom, the governor of California, promised to spend £82 million ($100 million) on a campaign to conserve water..
It will include radio and TV spots and use social media to encourage others to save water.
Newsom also promised to spend hundreds of millions to conserve water in government buildings.
