Evacuation orders for San Clemente and San Juan Capistrano were fully lifted on Saturday, following a day of containment efforts against the 570-acre Norte Fire. Residents affected by the wildfire were permitted to return to their homes starting at 6 p.m. Saturday, as the Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) updated the blaze's containment to 25%. The wildfire, which ignited on Friday, damaged or destroyed several multimillion-dollar homes in the area.
The Norte Fire broke out at approximately 11:30 a.m. Friday near Portico Del Norte. Driven by "fierce Santa Ana winds" according to OCFA, the blaze rapidly grew to 250 acres within an hour. By early Friday afternoon, it had scorched at least 465 acres. Cal Fire announced that by 7:27 p.m. Friday, the fire had expanded to 570 acres, an estimate that remained consistent through the latest available Saturday morning update.
The wildfire caused significant damage to residential structures. OCFA Division Three Fire Chief Mark Backhoff stated that six homes were "damaged or destroyed" by the fire, with most affected structures located in the vicinity of Avenida Calita, Via La Mirada, and Via De Agua in San Juan Capistrano. Visual reports from the scene indicated flames burning through the roofs of multiple residences.
The wind-driven blaze prompted extensive evacuation orders across multiple neighborhoods in both San Clemente and San Juan Capistrano. These orders included streets off Camino Las Ramblas, extending down to the San Diego (5) Freeway. San Clemente Chief of Police Services Justin Chevalier reported that an estimated 6,000 homes and 16,000 residents were initially placed under evacuation orders. Some San Clemente residents were able to return as early as Saturday morning when initial orders were partially lifted. Partial repopulation in San Juan Capistrano initially included the Stallion Ridge community, San Juan Hills High School, and the landfill off La Pata, before all remaining evacuation orders were rescinded by Saturday evening.
While residents returned, certain areas remained closed due to ongoing operations and safety concerns. Via La Mirada remained closed to vehicle traffic north of Esperanza to facilitate access for OCFA emergency vehicles. The burn scar, which encompasses the area affected by the fire, also remained closed until further notice, identified as an active fire hazard area. Additionally, the Camino Capistrano off-ramp from the northbound San Diego (5) Freeway was closed due to the fire.
Firefighters battled the blaze on the ground, supported by water-dropping aircraft. As the fire grew rapidly, additional strike teams were summoned to aid suppression efforts. During operations, two firefighters sustained heat-related injuries and were transported to a hospital for treatment, as confirmed by OCFA officials.
Despite the lifting of evacuation orders and increasing containment, fire crews anticipate remaining in the affected area for several days. OCFA Capt. Steve Concialdi stated that the ongoing presence is crucial "to prevent the fire from rekindling," emphasizing the need to mitigate risks from embers reigniting vegetation or structures.
During the emergency, several resources were made available to displaced residents. Evacuation centers were established at the San Juan Capistrano Community Center at 25925 Camino del Avion and the San Clemente Community Center at 100 Calle Seville. A shelter was also set up at the Boys & Girls Club in San Juan Capistrano at 1 Via Positiva, while Orange County Animal Care in Tustin offered shelter for pets. Early Saturday, Cal Fire announced that California secured a Fire Management Assistance Grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to support critical resources for fire suppression. Furthermore, Airbnb partnered with 211OC, a service of Orange County United Way, to provide free emergency housing for residents displaced by the wildfire. Residents needing assistance were directed to dial 211 for information on available resources.
The wildfire also impacted educational institutions. The Capistrano Unified School District implemented early dismissals on Friday for students at multiple schools, including Bernice Ayer, Clarence Lobo, Concordia, Harold Ambuehl, Palisades, San Clemente, San Juan Hills, Shorecliffs, Truman Benedict, and Vista Del Mar.
