The Norte Fire, a wildfire that rapidly grew to 570 acres across San Clemente and San Juan Capistrano, remained 0% contained on Saturday, according to Cal Fire. The blaze, driven by fierce Santa Ana winds, caused damage or destruction to six homes and prompted widespread evacuation orders for thousands of residents in South Orange County.
The Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) reported that the fire ignited around 11:30 a.m. Friday in the area of Portico Del Norte. Within an hour, it had scorched 250 acres, expanding to at least 465 acres by early afternoon. Cal Fire later updated the acreage to 570 acres by 7:27 p.m. Friday. Despite the lack of containment as of 9:20 p.m. Friday, fire activity had noticeably diminished by day’s end, with crews concentrating on structures still actively burning.
The rapid spread of the fire led to significant property damage. OCFA Division Three Fire Chief Mark Backhoff stated that six homes sustained damage or were destroyed by the blaze, expressing condolences to those impacted. Video footage from the scene depicted flames consuming the roofs of multiple structures, primarily in the areas of Avenida Calita, Via La Mirada, and Via De Agua in San Juan Capistrano. Despite these losses, OCFA Capt. Steve Concialdi noted that firefighters protected numerous other homes.
Evacuation orders were issued for multiple neighborhoods in both San Clemente and San Juan Capistrano, including streets stretching from Camino Las Ramblas down to the San Diego (5) Freeway. San Clemente Chief of Police Services Justin Chevalier reported that approximately 6,000 homes, housing an estimated 16,000 residents, were placed under evacuation orders. Orange County Board of Supervisors Vice Chair Katrina Foley advised residents to evacuate if they could see the smoke and fire, confirming that these orders encompassed most of San Juan Capistrano and San Clemente.
Firefighting efforts involved ground crews and water-dropping aircraft, with additional strike teams deployed as the conflagration expanded. California secured a Fire Management Assistance Grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to aid in fire suppression, Cal Fire announced early Saturday.
Two firefighters sustained heat-related injuries while battling the blaze. OCFA Division Three Fire Chief Mark Backhoff confirmed one firefighter was treated for heat exhaustion. OCFA Capt. Greg Barta later added that a second firefighter also experienced heat-related injuries. Both individuals were transported to a hospital for treatment, with Capt. Concialdi stating that one of the hospitalized firefighters was "doing good right now."
In response to the emergency, the Camino Capistrano off-ramp from the northbound San Diego Freeway was closed. Several evacuation centers were established, including the San Juan Capistrano Community Center and the San Clemente Community Center. A shelter was also opened at the Boys & Girls Club in San Juan Capistrano, accommodating animals and allowing residents to bring medications, though unsolicited donations were not accepted. Orange County Animal Care in Tustin offered shelter for dogs, cats, and other small pets. The Capistrano Unified School District announced early dismissals for multiple schools, including Bernice Ayer, Clarence Lobo, Concordia, Harold Ambuehl, Palisades, San Clemente, San Juan Hills, Shorecliffs, Truman Benedict, and Vista Del Mar.
Looking ahead, OCFA Capt. Steve Concialdi indicated that firefighters anticipate fierce winds to persist through Saturday. However, he expressed hope that dipping temperatures Friday night and potential rain could assist in recovery efforts. Concialdi emphasized the need for ongoing vigilance, stating that crews would remain on scene for a number of days to prevent rekindling and ember spread. He further noted that the Santa Ana winds remained the primary concern heading into Saturday, with expectations for winds to slow down and rain to arrive, which would significantly aid suppression efforts. Concialdi encouraged residents to register for Alert OC emergency notifications.
