A fast-moving brush fire grew to approximately 450 acres Wednesday afternoon near Rancho Mission Viejo, threatening the community of Rancho Carrillo and nearby commercial structures.
The fire broke out shortly after 2 p.m. on September 2, 2026, near the 34700 block of Ortega Highway.
By 3 p.m., the blaze had grown to approximately 150 acres. A 3:30 p.m. operational update placed the fire at 450 acres, burning at a moderate to rapid rate of spread with the potential to reach 1,000 acres…