A fast-spreading wildfire in Orange County swept through coastal properties on Friday, forcing widespread evacuation orders across Southern California.
The Orange County Fire Authority stated that the blaze, named the Norte Fire, had scorched approximately 188 hectares by Friday. Cal Fire estimated the footprint at about 231 hectares by the evening. Officials confirmed that at least six homes were damaged or destroyed in the San Juan Capistrano area.
Firefighters launched aggressive attacks on the fire from the ground and the air. The fire authority issued urgent pleas for residents to stay away from the disaster zone.
The blaze initially ignited in San Clemente before crossing into San Juan Capistrano. By Friday evening, roughly 6,000 homes and 16,000 residents fell under evacuation orders. Authorities opened emergency evacuation shelters in each city while helicopters dropped water to douse the flames.
Unseasonably high temperatures and low humidity fueled the rapid expansion of the fire. The Norte Fire is one of several blazes across the region driven by Santa Ana winds, which are intense warm gusts blowing from the interior of the southwestern United States toward the coast.
These winds typically arrive in autumn when Southern California vegetation is at its driest after a long summer without rain. Forecasters recorded wind speeds between 55km/h and 90km/h in coastal areas. While the strongest winds were anticipated to ease after Friday, the high heat and low humidity conditions driving the fire growth are forecast to persist through Saturday night.
Utility providers cut power to tens of thousands of residents in Los Angeles County to reduce the risk of electrical sparks carried by heavy wind gusts.
Meanwhile, firefighters across California battled multiple other blazes. The Bryson Fire broke out on Thursday on the outskirts of the Malibu beach community in Los Angeles County. Cal Fire reported that the Bryson Fire burned roughly 59 hectares and reached 17 percent containment by Friday.
Further south, the Henderson Fire burned 842 hectares in San Diego County and reached 20 percent containment. That fire impacted Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton and forced freeway closures.
