Congress has cut federal funding for public media — a $3.4 million loss for LAist. We count on readers like you to protect our nonprofit newsroom. Become a monthly member and sustain local journalism.
These Photos From The Holy Fire In OC Are Terrifying

A fast-growing wildfire burning in the Cleveland National Forest near Trabuco Canyon has prompted evacuations.
The Holy Fire, which broke out around 1:30 p.m. Monday, grew to more than 4,120 acres by 11 a.m. Wednesday and damaged at least 12 structures, according to forest service officials. More than 440 firefighters were working from the ground and the air to bring it under control.
The fire broke out the same day the Mendocino Complex Fire in Northern California overtook last year's Thomas Fire to be the biggest in recorded fire history in the state.
[MORE: California Has Had A Monster Wildfire Every Year For The Last Seven Years]
The communities of Holy Jim and Trabuco canyons and Blue Jay and Falcon campgrounds were under mandatory evacuations, Orange County Fire Authority officials said via Twitter shortly after 4 p.m.
CAL FIRE is assisting the Cleveland National Forest with a fire off Holy Jim Canyon Rd, west of N. Main Divide (Orange County). #HolyFire https://t.co/URoS9zxFUg pic.twitter.com/v0JzGkWr6Q
— CAL FIRE (@CAL_FIRE) August 6, 2018
WHERE TO GET UPDATES:
- Cleveland National Forest Twitter account
- Orange County Fire Authority Twitter account
- Cal Fire Twitter account
- Impacted residents may call the public information hotline at (714) 628-7085.
A UC San Diego research group has a camera atop Santiago Peak. Below you can watch the live stream from that and see photos of the fire people have posted to social media:
#Holyfire growing in size and extremely visible from surrounding areas. Trabuco and Holy Jim canyons under mandatory evacuations. Receiving assistance from @OCFA pic.twitter.com/UxUva3CFYT
— Cleveland NF (@ClevelandNF) August 6, 2018
Growing like crazy #HolyFire pic.twitter.com/lwu9WvUND4
— Abdul (@CaliAbdul) August 6, 2018
#HolyFire is well established with a growing header, however ground and air units are on scene and more enroute. If your in the area please STAY AWAY and follow all orders and suggestions by authorities. pic.twitter.com/B0GbmRxQr1
— OC Fire Watch (@OCFireWatch) August 6, 2018
[MORE: California Has Had A Monster Wildfire Every Year For The Last Seven Years]
UPDATES:
12:08 p.m.:This article was updated to reflect the new acreage of the fire and other updated information from forest service officials.
Wednesday, 7:20 a.m.: This article was updated to reflect the downgraded acreage of the fire and other updated information from forest service officials.
10:25 p.m.: This article updated with the most recent information on the size and containment of the Holy Fire, as well as the Mendocino Complex Fire.
This article was originally published at 4 p.m. on Monday
News happens every day. Here at LAist, our goal is to cover the stories that matter to you and the community you live in. Now that we're part of KPCC, those stories (including this one you're on right now!) are made possible by generous people like you. Independent, local journalism isn't cheap, but with your support we can keep delivering it. Donate now.
As Editor-in-Chief of our newsroom, I’m extremely proud of the work our top-notch journalists are doing here at LAist. We’re doing more hard-hitting watchdog journalism than ever before — powerful reporting on the economy, elections, climate and the homelessness crisis that is making a difference in your lives. At the same time, it’s never been more difficult to maintain a paywall-free, independent news source that informs, inspires, and engages everyone.
Simply put, we cannot do this essential work without your help. Federal funding for public media has been clawed back by Congress and that means LAist has lost $3.4 million in federal funding over the next two years. So we’re asking for your help. LAist has been there for you and we’re asking you to be here for us.
We rely on donations from readers like you to stay independent, which keeps our nonprofit newsroom strong and accountable to you.
No matter where you stand on the political spectrum, press freedom is at the core of keeping our nation free and fair. And as the landscape of free press changes, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust, but the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news from our community.
Please take action today to support your trusted source for local news with a donation that makes sense for your budget.
Thank you for your generous support and believing in independent news.

-
After rising for years, the number of residential installations in the city of Los Angeles began to drop in 2023. The city isn’t subject to recent changes in state incentives, but other factors may be contributing to the decline.
-
The L.A. City Council approved the venue change Wednesday, which organizers say will save $12 million in infrastructure costs.
-
Taxes on the sale of some newer apartment buildings would be lowered under a plan by Sacramento lawmakers to partially rein in city Measure ULA.
-
The union representing the restaurant's workers announced Tuesday that The Pantry will welcome back patrons after suddenly shutting down six months ago.
-
If approved, the more than 62-acre project would include 50 housing lots and a marina less than a mile from Jackie and Shadow's famous nest overlooking the lake.
-
The U.S. Supreme Court lifted limits on immigration sweeps in Southern California, overturning a lower court ruling that prohibited agents from stopping people based on their appearance.