Multiple homes have been destroyed or damaged after a fast-moving wildfire surged across hundreds of acres in Southern California, triggering evacuation orders.
The Norte fire began shortly after 11:30 a.m. on Friday near Portico Del Norte and Eminencia Del Norte in San Clemente, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection’s (CAL FIRE) incident page, which as of Saturday morning said its cause remained under investigation.
State officials said the blaze was driven by strong Santa Ana winds, dry vegetation and elevated temperatures. The National Weather Service had warned that weather conditions in the region were conducive to elevated fire danger.
The Norte fire grew from approximately 10 acres to 250 acres within about an hour, before expanding further.
At least four homes off Via La Mirada in San Juan Capistrano were affected, according to an update published by fire officials. Images from the area showed flames engulfing properties and thick smoke rising into the air.
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“We still have crews in place with evacuations remaining throughout the night,” Mike Yuen, battalion chief for the Orange County Fire Authority said in a video update on Friday. “Crews currently are working to increase containment, putting out hotspots, and our goal is to keep the fire in its current footprint.
“Our number one objective is the safety of the community and our firefighters and, when it is safe to do so, our second priority would be to get people back into their homes,” Yuen added.
The Orange County Fire Authority said the blaze had reached 570 acres and was zero percent contained.
Images also showed firefighting crews hosing down properties that had been damaged and burned by the fire.
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Some 13,000 people were threatened by the blaze, while evacuation orders and warnings covered around 4,000 homes, according to California Governor Gavin Newsom’s office. The state secured a Fire Management Assistance Grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to support the response in Orange County.
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According to fire officials, the following areas have been issued evacuation orders:
- SCL12
- SCL13
- SJC04
- SJC05
- SJC10
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Additionally, they said evacuation shelters have been opened in the following locations:
- Boys and Girls Club
1 Via Positiva, San Juan Capistrano - San Juan Capistrano Community Center
25925 Camino del Avion, San Juan Capistrano - San Clemente Community Center
100 Calle Seville, San Clemente
The Associated Press (AP) reported two firefighters had been hospitalized with heat-related injuries. The outlet reported winds drove the fire into San Juan Capistrano after it began in San Clemente, and that Orange County Fire Authority Fire Chief TJ McGovern said 16,000 residents had been ordered to evacuate by Friday night.
Officials urged people to avoid the fire area as crews continued tackling the blaze.
Contact Newsweek editor on this story: Edward Pearcey.