Southern California Edison says it has notified state utility regulators that "circuit activity" was detected at about the same time a brush fire started in the hills above the Orange County coast and quickly burned uphill into a neighborhood. The Coastal Fire was reported around 2:45 p.m. Wednesday in Aliso Woods Canyon near Laguna Niguel. Fanned by ocean winds, flames tore through thick brush in the canyon and climbed over the top of the ridgeline and cast wind-strewn embers onto homes. At least 20 homes burned. About 900 homes were evacuated between Laguna Niguel and the neighboring city of Laguna Beach. Authorities have not determined a cause, but SoCal Edision confirmed that "circuit activity" was reported at about the time the fire started.