At Least Six Homes Burn in Southern California Amid Fast-Moving Fire, Prompting Evacuation Orders: CBC

Norte fire spreads between cities

The Norte fire began in San Clemente and was driven by wind into San Juan Capistrano. By Friday, it had burned at least six homes and grown to nearly two square kilometres, according to Orange County Fire Authority spokesperson Capt. Steve Concialdi.

More than 500 firefighters were working against the blaze. Concialdi said, “The fire is right up on the city,” and described flames at the edge of homes in the city’s north end.

Residents evacuate as winds rise

San Juan Capistrano councilmember Howard Hart said he and his wife watered their roof and moved propane tanks away from their home before evacuating Friday. His wife said they usually watched such fires on the news and hoped they would not face one themselves.

The U.S. National Weather Service forecast winds of 32 to 56 km/h, with gusts reaching 80 to 112 km/h in some areas. Meteorologist Rose Schoenfeld said the elevated fire-weather conditions covered the wider Southern California region.

Other fires disrupt the region

Tens of thousands of Californians were without power after electricity was shut off. Another fire closed a section of Interstate 5, a major route between Orange County and San Diego, causing hours of added commute time.

The Bryson Fire, which began Thursday in Malibu, had eased significantly by Friday as crews worked on containment and mop-up. It had led to evacuation orders and warnings across part of the Santa Monica Mountains, affecting more than 12,000 people.

Firefighters were also working to contain fires that started Thursday afternoon in Azusa and at Camp Pendleton, near San Diego. Utilities in California have increasingly shut off power in dry winds, as power equipment has sparked some of the state’s worst wildfires.