News Article
Published
Oct 16, 2026 at 05:47 PM EDT
A fast-moving wildfire spread to 250 acres in Orange County, California, on Friday, prompting evacuation orders in parts of San Clemente and San Juan Capistrano as flames threatened homes.
The Norte Fire was reported near Portico Del Norte and Eminencia Del Norte in San Clemente. Evacuation orders have been issued for San Clemente Zones 12 and 13 and San Juan Capistrano Zones 4, 5 and 10, according to official incident information.
Local television footage showed several homes burning in San Juan Capistrano as firefighters battled the blaze.
Where Is the Norte Fire?
The fire was reported near Portico Del Norte and Eminencia Del Norte in San Clemente.
CAL FIRE's incident page listed the blaze at 250 acres and said the Orange County Fire Authority was the agency with jurisdiction. According to CAL FIRE's active incident tracker, the Henderson Fire in San Diego County had burned 2,080 acres and was at zero percent containment Friday.
Norte Fire Evacuation Map
Immediate evacuation orders are in place for San Clemente Zones 12 and 13 and San Juan Capistrano Zones 4, 5 and 10. Residents in those zones have been told to leave immediately.
A map shared by the Orange County Sheriff's Department showed the evacuation zones impacted by the fire. Places colored yellow/green are under an evacuation warning, in which residents should remain alert and prepare for possible evacuation. The red areas are under an evacuation order, in which there is a threat to life and people should leave immediately.
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Other Fires in California
The Norte Fire comes as firefighters battle several other blazes across California, including multiple fires that began in Southern California a day earlier.
The Henderson Fire in San Diego County had burned 2,080 acres and was listed at zero percent containment by CAL FIRE on Friday. In Los Angeles County, the Bryson Fire had burned 147 acres and was 17 percent contained, while the Peak Fire had burned 43 acres and was 41 percent contained.
Newsweek’s reporters and editors used Martyn, our AI assistant, to produce this story. Learn more about Martyn here. Contact Newsweek editors on this story: Jason Lemon and Gray R. Thomas