Norte Fire forces 16,000 to evacuate in Southern California as homes burn
A fast-moving wildfire in Orange County, fanned by Santa Ana winds, has damaged or destroyed at least six homes as several blazes burn across the region.
At a glance
- The Norte Fire in Orange County has burned up to 231 hectares and damaged or destroyed at least six homes in the San Juan Capistrano area.
- About 6,000 homes and 16,000 residents were under evacuation orders as Santa Ana winds of up to 90km/h fanned the flames.
- Two other fires, the Bryson Fire near Malibu and the Henderson Fire in San Diego County, were also burning across the region.
A fast-spreading wildfire in Orange County, Southern California, has engulfed several coastal properties and forced some 16,000 residents from their homes, with evacuation orders covering about 6,000 homes as of Friday evening.
The Norte Fire began Friday in the coastal city of San Clemente and spread to San Juan Capistrano, where at least six homes have been damaged or destroyed, according to the Orange County Fire Authority. The agency said the blaze had scorched roughly 188 hectares (465 acres), while the state's Cal Fire agency put the figure at about 231 hectares (570 acres) by the evening.
Firefighters were "aggressively attacking the fire from the ground and air," the fire authority said, urging people to stay clear of the area. Evacuation shelters have opened in both cities, and helicopters are working to douse the flames.
Wind-driven spread
The fire's rapid growth is being driven by Santa Ana winds — intense warm gusts that blow from the southwest US interior toward the California coast — combined with unseasonably high temperatures and low humidity, AFP reported. Forecasters said winds of between 55km/h and 90km/h (35mph and 55mph) swept through coastal areas.
Santa Ana winds typically arrive in autumn, just as Southern California's vegetation is at its driest after a long, rainless summer, according to The Weather Channel. The strongest gusts were expected through Friday, but the heat and low humidity feeding the fire are forecast to persist through Saturday night.
Power cuts and other blazes
Tens of thousands of people in Los Angeles County were left without power as authorities sought to reduce the risk of electrical sparks being carried by the heavy winds.
The Norte Fire is one of several wildfires burning in the region. The Bryson Fire, which broke out Thursday on the outskirts of the Malibu beach community in Los Angeles County, had burned about 59 hectares (147 acres) and was 17 percent contained as of Friday, according to Cal Fire.
In San Diego County, the Henderson Fire had burned 842 hectares (2,080 acres) and was 20 percent contained by Friday, Cal Fire said. That blaze affected Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton and prompted freeway closures.
Source: Al Jazeera.
Questions and answers
- What is fueling the Norte Fire in Southern California?
- The fire is being fanned by Santa Ana winds, warm gusts blowing from the southwest US interior toward the coast, along with unseasonably high temperatures and low humidity. Winds of 55 to 90km/h were recorded in coastal areas.
- How many people have been evacuated because of the Norte Fire?
- About 6,000 homes and 16,000 residents in San Clemente and San Juan Capistrano were under evacuation orders by Friday evening. Evacuation shelters have opened in each city.
- Are there other wildfires burning in Southern California?
- Yes. The Bryson Fire near Malibu had burned about 59 hectares and was 17 percent contained, while the Henderson Fire in San Diego County had burned 842 hectares and was 20 percent contained as of Friday.
