The Norte Fire destroyed or damaged at least six homes as hot, dry Santa Ana winds fueled several blazes across the region.
SANTA ANA, CA — About 16,000 people were ordered to evacuate as a fast-moving wildfire swept through coastal communities in Orange County, burning at least six homes while firefighters battled several blazes across Southern California during hot, dry and windy conditions.
The Norte Fire began Friday near San Clemente and was pushed north toward San Juan Capistrano by Santa Ana winds. By Friday evening, the blaze had grown to about 570 acres and remained 0% contained, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. The fire was one of several burning across Southern California as low humidity, elevated temperatures and gusty offshore winds created conditions capable of driving rapid fire growth.
Firefighters confronted flames in residential neighborhoods as thick smoke rose above homes, swimming pools and hillsides. At least six houses were confirmed damaged or destroyed, according to reports from the fire area. Two firefighters were taken to a hospital with heat-related injuries. Authorities had not announced a cause, and Cal Fire listed the origin of the Norte Fire as under investigation.
Orange County Fire Authority Chief TJ McGovern said about 16,000 residents had been ordered to evacuate by Friday night. Evacuation orders covered areas of San Clemente and San Juan Capistrano, and community centers in both cities were opened as shelters. Earlier Friday, the governor’s office said the fire was threatening nearly 13,000 people and about 4,000 homes, figures released before evacuation orders expanded later in the day.
The fire also disrupted schools and daily life across the coastal communities. Nine schools in San Juan Capistrano were closed Friday, according to the Capistrano Unified School District. Residents in threatened neighborhoods rushed to leave as smoke spread across the area, while some homeowners wet roofs and property before evacuating. Officials continued to urge people in evacuation zones to follow local emergency orders as crews worked along the fire’s perimeter.
California secured a Fire Management Assistance Grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to help pay for the response to the Norte Fire. Gov. Gavin Newsom’s office said the federal program can reimburse local, state and tribal agencies for 75% of eligible firefighting costs. State officials had also positioned additional engines, a bulldozer, a water tender, a helicopter and dozens of firefighters and support personnel in Orange County ahead of the dangerous weather.
Other fires were stretching emergency resources across the region. The Henderson Fire near Camp Pendleton in San Diego County had burned about 2,080 acres and was listed at 20% containment Saturday on Cal Fire’s active incident page. The blaze caused major travel problems after a section of Interstate 5, the main route between Orange County and San Diego, was temporarily closed. Traffic disruptions continued as crews responded to fires on both sides of the county line.
Farther north, firefighters continued working the Bryson Fire near Encinal Canyon Road in Malibu. Cal Fire reported Saturday morning that the fire had burned 147 acres and reached 52% containment. More than 700 personnel were assigned to the incident, and evacuation orders and warnings remained in parts of the Santa Monica Mountains. One firefighter injury was reported. Crews were using infrared information to locate hot spots while strengthening containment lines and protecting threatened property.
The fires developed during a significant Santa Ana wind event, when dry air flows from inland areas toward the Southern California coast. The National Weather Service warned that the combination of offshore winds and low humidity could produce rapid fire growth and extreme fire behavior. Red flag conditions remained in effect in parts of Los Angeles and Ventura counties through Saturday, while Orange County remained under heat and wind advisories during portions of the day.
Utilities also cut electricity to customers in fire-prone areas as a precaution against equipment starting new fires during strong winds. More than 118,000 customers statewide were without power Friday, according to figures cited by The Associated Press, although the number included planned safety shutoffs as well as other outages. California utilities have increasingly used preventive shutoffs during severe fire weather when winds can damage electrical equipment or bring lines into contact with vegetation.
As of Saturday morning, the Norte Fire remained active at about 570 acres with no reported containment on Cal Fire’s statewide incident list. Evacuation orders remained the key concern for communities in its path, while firefighters across Southern California continued working the Norte, Henderson and Bryson fires as dangerous heat, dry vegetation and lingering offshore winds complicated containment efforts.
Author note: Last updated October 17, 2026.