Thousands evacuate as massive California fires engulf homes

A fast-moving wildfire, dubbed the Norte Fire, destroyed or damaged at least six homes and injured two firefighters near San Clemente and San Juan Capistrano in Southern California on Friday. The blaze began in San Clemente before spreading into nearby San Juan Capistrano due to dry Santa Ana winds that reached speeds of up to 70mph (112km/h). Over 500 firefighters have been battling the fire, which had grown to cover approximately 570 acres by Saturday morning. About 6,000 homes and 16,000 residents were under evacuation orders as of Friday evening, with no reports of resident injuries or deaths so far. The cause of the fire remains under investigation. High temperatures and low humidity fueled the rapid growth of the wildfire overnight, prompting authorities to issue repeated pleas for people to stay clear of the area. Evacuation shelters have been set up in both cities to accommodate displaced residents. OCFA officials confirmed that while containment efforts are ongoing, the main objective remains ensuring community and firefighter safety before allowing residents to return home. The potential for extreme fire behavior and rapid spread could still rise as strong winds continue through Saturday.