SAN CLEMENTE, Calif. — A fast-moving wildfire fueled by hot Santa Ana winds burned into coastal neighborhoods of Southern California’s Orange County on Friday, damaging or destroying at least six homes and forcing about 16,000 residents to evacuate, CBC News and BBC News reported.
The Norte Fire started in San Clemente and was driven by wind into San Juan Capistrano, growing to about 465 acres by Friday evening. Black smoke billowed over tennis courts and swimming pools as firefighters doused burning homes. Two firefighters were taken to hospital with heat-related injuries, and the cause has not been announced.
“Had these winds been a little bit stronger, a little bit different direction, this could have been a whole lot worse,” San Clemente Mayor Rick Loeffler said, according to CBC News.
The Norte Fire is one of 13 burning across California, the BBC said. The Bryson Fire in Malibu forced evacuations in the Santa Monica Mountains, while the Henderson Fire near Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton grew past 2,000 acres and twice forced the closure of Interstate 5.
Utilities cut power to reduce the risk of sparks, leaving more than 200,000 customers without electricity on Friday, CBC News reported. The National Weather Service kept red flag warnings and a heat advisory in place into Saturday, with temperatures forecast to reach 95F (35C), the BBC said.
Sources: CBC News, BBC News, DW
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