Santa Ana winds drive wildfire burning homes in San Juan Capistrano

A wildfire driven by strong Santa Ana winds burned at least six homes and led to evacuations in San Juan Capistrano and San Clemente, according to the Sentinel and Standard Speaker. The fire began Friday morning in the 3000 block of Eminencia del Norte and rapidly expanded due to hot, windy, and dry conditions.

The blaze, named the Norte Fire, initially covered about 10 acres but grew to an estimated 50 to 70 acres by midday, and later reached 465 acres as reported by the Orange County Fire Authority. Firefighting aircraft were prioritized to protect structures because of the immediate threat.

Residents described the fast-moving flames reaching backyards and destroying homes. One resident saw flames quickly advancing down a hill and into her backyard, with neighbors on both sides losing their homes. Local officials also took precautions such as wetting roofs and moving propane tanks before evacuating.

More than 200,000 customers across California were without power amid these conditions, with utilities having implemented proactive power shutoffs to reduce wildfire risks during dry winds, according to poweroutage.com.

The fire and evacuations highlight the ongoing challenges Southern California faces with wildfires fueled by Santa Ana winds and dry weather, with firefighting efforts continuing to contain the blaze and protect communities.