Norte fire burns homes in San Juan Capistrano as Santa Ana winds force 16,000 to evacuate
A wind-driven wildfire that broke out Friday morning on the border of San Clemente and San Juan Capistrano had burned about 570 acres with 0% containment by late Friday night. It damaged or destroyed at least six homes and left about 16,000 residents under evacuation orders.
What is confirmed: The Norte fire broke out around 11:30 a.m. Friday near Portico Del Norte in San Clemente and spread into San Juan Capistrano, according to the Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA), NBC Los Angeles reported. Fire officials said late Friday night that it had burned 570 acres and was still 0% contained, the Los Angeles Times reported. The OCFA confirmed six homes, most believed to be on the San Juan Capistrano side, had been damaged or destroyed, though aerial images suggested eight or more could be affected, NBC Los Angeles said. The cause is under investigation.
Evacuations: About 16,000 residents remained under evacuation orders Friday evening. OCFA Fire Chief TJ McGovern put the area at about 4,600 homes, NBC Los Angeles reported, while Orange County Sheriff’s Department Capt. Justin Chevalier put it at about 6,000 homes, according to the Times. Evacuations were expected to stay in place through the night. An overnight shelter opened at the Boys and Girls Club in San Juan Capistrano, and the Capistrano Unified School District dismissed students early at several schools Friday, NBC Los Angeles reported.
Firefighters and injuries: Two firefighters were injured and taken to a hospital, McGovern said; the Times reported they suffered “significant injuries” but were in stable condition, while NBC Los Angeles reported that one of them had mild heat exhaustion. The OCFA said 400 firefighters had responded, with 400 more on the way, according to NBC Los Angeles. “Our current objective is keeping the fire within its current footprint,” McGovern said, the Times reported. Gov. Gavin Newsom announced that California secured a federal fire management assistance grant, which lets response agencies apply for 75% reimbursement of eligible fire-suppression costs, according to the Times.
Other fires: The Norte fire is one of several blazes during Southern California’s first major Santa Ana wind event of the season. In Malibu, the Bryson fire, which ignited Thursday, had burned 147 acres and was 39% contained Friday evening, according to Cal Fire officials cited by the Times. The Henderson fire burned more than 1,000 acres on Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton and forced closures of Interstate 5; the California Highway Patrol said all lanes had reopened Friday evening, the Times reported.
What comes next: A National Weather Service meteorologist told the Times that winds would gradually decrease early Saturday into the afternoon before calming. A red flag warning remains in effect for Los Angeles and Ventura counties through Saturday evening, and air regulators issued a smoke advisory for parts of south Orange County through Saturday. Officials urged residents under orders to leave and others to stay off the roads.