Firefighters put out a vegetation fire sparked by a lightning strike in Trabuco Canyon on Saturday morning, Aug. 23, authorities said. The blaze, dubbed the Club fire, was reported just before 9 a.m. in the 20 block of Club Vista in Trabuco Canyon, near Dove Canyon, Orange County Fire Authority Capt. Greg Barta said.

The Gifford Fire has reached "mega fire" status at over 119,000 acres burned and has become California's largest fire this year.

The Orange County Fire Authority is seen battling the Club Fire in Dove Canyon, which was ignited by lightning on Aug. 23, 2025. Details:

CAL FIRE wrote on X on Friday: "California is under a heat wave, bringing hot, dry, and windy conditions, making wildfires more likely to occur and to spread fast. When temps soar, even a tiny spark can ignite disaster."

In the wake of a deadly fireworks explosion that killed seven people in Esparto, Cal Fire on Friday permanently revoked the state licenses of both companies operating at the blast site, citing multiple violations and escalating its criminal investigation.

According to Cal Fire, the blaze had reached 4,690 acres as of Saturday, and was 7% contained, with crews working overnight to keep the fire within control lines.

CAL Fire CZU says that a car fire in the Santa Cruz Mountains has closed roads in the area. The fire has spread to a small area of vegetation, but forward progress has stopped. All lanes are blocked on northbound Highway 17 north of Vine Hill Road. California Highway Patrol says they are unsure when the roadway will reopen.

The closure of one of the most notorious stretches of California highway, delayed earlier this month because of the Gifford Fire, is now slated to take place next week before Labor Day weekend.