We have observed the changing light intensity during catastrophic optical mirror damage (COMD) on the timescale of tens of nanoseconds using red-emitting AlGaInP quantum well based laser diodes. Using as-cleaved facets and this material system, which is susceptible to COMD, we recorded the drop in light intensity and the area of damage to the facet, as a function of current, for single, high current pulses. We found that in the current range up to 40 A, the total COMD process up to the drop of light intensity to nonlasing levels takes place on a timescale of hundreds of nanoseconds, approaching a limiting value of 200 ns, and that the measured area of facet damage showed a clear increase with drive current. Using a straightforward thermal model, we propose an explanation for the limiting time at high currents and the relationship between the time to COMD and the area of damaged facet material.