Norte Fire destroys six homes as Santa Ana winds drive evacuations
The fast-moving Norte Fire burned through parts of San Clemente and San Juan Capistrano in Southern California, destroying six coastal homes and prompting evacuation orders for about 16,000 residents. The fire highlights how dry, powerful winds can rapidly threaten homes and communities, while making firefighting more difficult.
The blaze began on Friday near Portico Del Norte and spread in warm Santa Ana winds reaching up to 60 mph. By Saturday it had burned about 570 acres; hundreds of firefighters responded, and two were hospitalised, including one with heat exhaustion. Conditions improved by Saturday night, when all but one road’s evacuation orders had been lifted, while the cause remained under investigation.
- Norte Fire destroyed six homes in Orange County.
- Winds reached 60 mph and the fire burned 570 acres.
- Evacuation orders were lifted except for one road.
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Originally published by Daily Mail as “Brush fire threatens million dollar homes in southern California as high winds fan the flames”.