Norte Fire Evacuations Force 16,000 People From Their Homes in Orange County
The Norte Fire evacuations in south Orange County forced about 16,000 people out of their homes on Friday, October 16, after a wind-driven brush fire swept through hillside neighborhoods in San Clemente and San Juan Capistrano. Fire officials say at least six homes were damaged or destroyed. By Friday evening the fire had grown to about 570 acres and was reported to be 0 percent contained, meaning crews had not yet built a line around any part of it.
How the fire started and spread
The Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) received the first call at about 11:30 a.m. Pacific time, reporting flames near a San Clemente neighborhood east of Interstate 5. Within hours, strong Santa Ana winds had pushed the fire into neighboring San Juan Capistrano. Santa Ana winds are hot, dry gusts that bl...