Crews gained ground on the Norte Fire after strong Santa Ana winds drove flames through Orange County neighborhoods and damaged coastal homes.
SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, CA — Firefighters gained ground Saturday on a fast-moving Southern California wildfire that damaged or destroyed at least six coastal homes and forced about 16,000 people to evacuate before most evacuation orders were lifted.
The Norte Fire began Friday in San Clemente and moved into neighboring San Juan Capistrano as strong Santa Ana winds swept across a region already dealing with several wildfires. The blaze remained smaller than 1 square mile Saturday, and the Orange County Fire Authority reported containment had increased to 25%. Most residents were allowed to return home by Saturday evening, though one street in San Clemente remained under an evacuation order.
The fire was reported shortly after 11:30 a.m. Friday near Portico Del Norte and Eminencia Del Norte. It grew quickly from about 10 acres to hundreds of acres as flames moved through grass and chaparral in hilly terrain. By Friday evening, officials said about 16,000 residents had been ordered to leave parts of San Clemente and San Juan Capistrano. Firefighters were sent into neighborhoods as flames reached homes and dark smoke spread across the area.
At least six homes were damaged or destroyed, according to fire officials. Two firefighters were taken to a hospital with heat-related injuries. Authorities had not announced a cause for the fire, and the investigation remained underway. Hundreds of firefighters were assigned to the blaze as crews worked to protect neighborhoods and build containment lines around the fire.
The Norte Fire developed during a period of hot, dry and windy weather across Southern California. Santa Ana winds, which blow from inland areas toward the coast, can rapidly dry vegetation and push flames through hills and canyons. California officials had moved additional firefighters, engines, aircraft and other equipment into Southern California before the wind event because forecasts showed an increased danger of fast-moving fires.
The emergency also disrupted schools and transportation. Nine schools in San Juan Capistrano were closed Friday, and after-school activities were canceled. A separate wildfire near Camp Pendleton temporarily shut a section of Interstate 5, a major route connecting Orange County with San Diego County, adding to traffic problems as fire crews responded to several incidents across the region.
Other fires were burning at the same time. The Henderson Fire at Camp Pendleton had grown beyond 2,000 acres by early Saturday, while firefighters were also working on the Bryson Fire in Malibu. The series of fires stretched emergency resources along the Southern California coast as dry winds lowered humidity and increased the chance that new fires could spread quickly.
The state secured federal assistance for the Norte Fire on Friday through a Fire Management Assistance Grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The grant can reimburse eligible state, local and tribal agencies for 75% of certain fire-suppression costs. State officials said the fire was threatening thousands of residents when the assistance was approved.
Utilities also cut electricity to customers in parts of California during the dangerous weather in an effort to reduce the chance that electrical equipment could start fires. More than 118,000 customers statewide were without power Friday, according to figures cited by The Associated Press, though not all of the outages were connected to the Orange County fire.
Conditions began improving as crews increased containment Saturday, allowing most evacuees to return. Firefighters continued watching for hot spots and strengthening fire lines while authorities kept one San Clemente street under evacuation orders. The cause of the Norte Fire had not been released as the investigation continued.
Author note: Last updated Oct. 18, 2026.