Brush fires trigger evacuations in Los Angeles, Orange counties amid Santa Ana winds across SoCal
Strong Santa Ana winds are whipping across Southern California as the dangerous conditions spark fires across the region and leave tens of thousands without power.
Firefighters are battling blazes in San Clemente, Malibu and Azusa. While forward progress has stopped with the Peak Fire in Azusa, the Norte Fire in Orange County and the Bryson Fire in Malibu has forced evacuations.
Red Flag Warnings are in effect as the significant wind event ramps up.
The Red Flag Warning will last until 8 p.m. Saturday for portions of Los Angeles and Ventura counties, including the Santa Monica Mountains, San Gabriel Mountains, Interstate 5 corridor and the Antelope Valley foothills, according to the National Weather Service.
A High Wind Warning is in effect through Friday evening for the western Santa Monica Mountains Recreation Area and San Gabriel Mountains, where northeast winds of 25 to 45 mph are expected. The Santa Ana Mountains and foothills will remain under a High Wind Warning through noon Saturday.
A Heat Advisory will also be in effect through 8 p.m. Saturday, with high temperatures expected across the region.
Key Headlines
- 2 hours and 8 minutes ago
- 2:19 PM PDT
- 2:33 PM PDT
- 7:46 AM PDT
Norte Fire impact at a glance
The fast-growing Norte Fire, burning on the border of San Clemente and San Juan Capistrano, quickly grew on Friday afternoon.
The fire first began around 11:30 a.m. in the area of Portico Del Norte in San Clemente, but quickly spread into the San Juan Capistrano area.
The latest information from the Orange County Fire Authority and CAL FIRE officials shows:
- Acres burned: 465
- Percent contained: 0%
- Structures burned: At least 6
- Injuries: 1 firefighter suffered heat exhaustion
- Counties impacted: Orange County
Newsom announces FEMA grant to bolster response to Norte Fire
Gov. Gavin Newsom announced Friday that California has secured a Fire Management Assistance Grant from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to support firefighting efforts against the Norte Fire in Orange County amid dangerous fire weather conditions across Southern California.
The grant will make additional resources available to assist local and state agencies responding to the wildfire, which ignited shortly after 11:30 a.m. Friday in the San Clemente area of Orange County, near San Juan Capistrano.
"California is taking decisive action to support our firefighters and protect communities as dangerous winds and dry conditions fuel wildfire threats," Newsom said in a statement. "By securing this federal assistance, we are ensuring our local and state partners have the critical resources they need to aggressively fight the Norte Fire, protect lives and property, and keep Californians safe."
According to fire officials, the wind-driven fire has burned approximately 465 acres. Fueled by strong Santa Ana winds, dry vegetation and elevated temperatures, the blaze is threatening about 16,000 people and has prompted evacuation orders and warnings affecting 6,000 homes, fire officials said during a Friday evening news conference.
The fire comes as Southern California experiences a significant Santa Ana wind event, bringing gusty winds, low humidity and elevated to critical fire-weather conditions that can contribute to rapid wildfire spread.
The Fire Management Assistance Grant, provided through FEMA on a cost-share basis, allows local, state and tribal agencies responding to the fire to apply for reimbursement of 75% of eligible fire suppression costs.
Norte Fire: 16K residents under evacuation orders, 2 firefighters injured
Authorities said 16,000 residents and 6,000 homes are under a mandatory evacuation order due to the Norte Fire.
Two firefighters were also hospitalized with "significant injuries" and are in stable condition, OCFA Chief Kevin Fetterman said at an evening news conference.
Crews will be mopping up OC wildfire for 'a number of days,' officials say
As crews gain the upper hand on the Norte Fire burning in Orange County, residents can expect to see firefighters in the area for the next few days, according to the Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA).
The wind-driven fire began in San Clemente around 11:30 a.m. Friday and quickly burned into San Juan Capistrano, impacting a number of neighborhoods.
After a robust response on the air and on the ground, the majority of the 465-acre fire has been knocked down, but some homes are still being impacted, and the wind is still blowing, OCFA Capt. Steve Concialdi said in an update shortly after 5:30 p.m.
Still, that doesn't mean the firefight is over. Concialdi said fire crews will now focus on making sure the fire doesn't reignite.
"We're going to be here for a number of days. We don't want a rekindle, so typically in October, November and a lot of times, into December, we have these Santa Ana Wind conditions... so right now, because there are some embers, there are some hot spots, we don't want those embers to then catch a palm tree or some vegetation in another area or next to homes," Concialdi said.
In total, OCFA says six homes have been burned by the blaze.
ABC7 viewer video shows flames dangerously close to OC homes
Many Eyewitness News viewers have sent us video of the Norte Fire burning in Orange County, destroying several homes and creeping dangerously close to others.
Flames were visible from across South Orange County, including in San Clemente, San Juan Capistrano and Dana Point.
In one video from San Clemente, aggressive flames were seen creeping up right behind homes.
In a timelapse video, aircraft were seen making numerous water and phosphate drops on the blaze.
Watch the video above to see some of the best viewer videos sent to Eyewitness News.
6 homes damaged or destroyed by Norte Fire, 1 firefighter injured, OCFA says
The Norte Fire has damaged or destroyed six homes, OCFA Division 3 Chief Mark Backoff said. One firefighter was also treated for heat exhaustion, Backoff added.
Street-level view reveals Norte Fire's destruction in OC neighborhood
Extensive damage to several homes was visible in a San Juan Capistrano neighborhood as firefighters worked to extinguish hot spots left behind by the wind-driven Norte Fire.
Eyewitness News was at the intersection of Via La Mirada and Calle Esperanza, where damaged homes could be seen throughout the area.
Firefighters remained on scene as smoke continued billowing from parts of the neighborhood.
The Norte Fire has burned more than 400 acres and prompted evacuation orders.
Most of Norte Fire burn area has no record of wildfire since 1950
A historical analysis from CAL FIRE indicates the Norte Fire appears to have started on a hillside that has no record of burning since at least 1950.
According to the analysis, the apparent point of origin is located in an area that has not experienced a recorded wildfire in more than seven decades. While several wildfires have occurred within a few miles of the apparent origin since 1950, the analysis shows that most fire activity in the region has been concentrated farther east.
The areas with more frequent wildfire activity include Talega Canyon, San Mateo Canyon and the broader Santa Margarita Mountains, according to the analysis.
The findings suggest the hillside where the Norte Fire appears to have started differs from surrounding areas that have seen a greater history of wildfire activity over the past several decades.
Good Samaritan helps San Juan Capistrano residents evacuate from fire
Eyewitness News caught up with a good Samaritan who was helping San Juan Capistrano residents evacuate as the fast-growing Norte Fire tore through their neighborhood.
ABC7 Reporter Bianca Buono met Jordan as he assisted residents under evacuation orders in the area of Via La Mirada.
Jordan lives in Mission Viejo but said he was hiking in San Clemente along the ridgeline and decided to come down into the neighborhood to help out. That's when he saw a man frantically bringing items from his house to his car.
Jordan stepped in, helping the man load up his car and drive his vehicles off of his property. Then, he stuck around, giving residents rides to safety out of the neighborhood.
He told Eyewitness News fires hit close to home after his family was personally impacted by the Palisades Fire last year.
"In the Palisades, my grandpa had two homes up there that just burned down, and they had all our photos in it, all the jewelry. He had a mini Corvette collection and real Corvettes, as well, that all burned. So I'm just kind of trying to help out and see if I can do what someone could have done for my grandpa," Jordan said.
Eyewitness News spotted at least five homes that were destroyed in the fire. Crews appeared to make significant progress on the fire by early Friday evening.
Firefighters safely evacuate elderly man as Norte Fire continues burning in OC
As the Norte Fire continues burning in Orange County, our Eyewitness News crew said they saw firefighters safely evacuate an elderly man with his medical equipment in San Juan Capistrano.
Emergency crews were able to get the man out from his home on Via La Mirada as thick smoke blanketed the area.
Other area residents were also seen evacuating as firefighters worked to do whatever they could do protect the homes.
Aerial footage from AIR7 showed multiple homes burning in San Juan Capistrano.
Evacuation centers have opened at:
- San Juan Capistrano Community Center, 25925 Camino del Avion
- San Clemente Community Center, 100 Calle Seville.
Norte Fire impact at a glance
The fast-growing Norte Fire, burning on the border of San Clemente and San Juan Capistrano, quickly grew on Friday afternoon.
The fire first began around 11:30 a.m. in the area of Portico Del Norte in San Clemente, but quickly spread into the San Juan Capistrano area.
The latest information from the Orange County Fire Authority and CAL FIRE officials shows:
- Acres burned: 465
- Percent contained: 0%
- Structures burned: At least 6
- Injuries: 1 firefighter suffered heat exhaustion
- Counties impacted: Orange County
Multiple San Juan Capistrano homes burning in Orange County brush fire
AIR7 video captured at least four San Juan Capistrano homes burning in the Norte Fire.
The homes that were already burning are very close to other residences. The exact number of structures impacted was not immediately known.
According to the Orange County Fire Authority, the four homes are located on Via La Mirada in San Juan Capistrano. The fire is burning along the border with San Clemente.
Evacuation orders are in place for residents in the area. The fire quickly grew to at least 250 acres on Friday afternoon.
Capistrano Unified dismisses schools early due to Norte Fire
Capistrano Unified School District dismissed nine schools early Friday due to the Norte Fire burning in the area.
The schools closed early are: Bernice Ayer, Clarence Lobo, Concordia, Harold Ambuehl, San Clemente, San Juan Hills, Shorecliffs, Truman Benedict and Vista Del Mar.
School district officials also canceled all after-school programs and sports because of the fire.
San Clemente mayor talks about Norte Fire burning near city
San Clemente Mayor Rick Loeffler said firefighters are working to keep the flames away from homes while windy conditions drive the Norte Fire to spread.
Loeffler said the city has been preparing for the drier months by clearing brush and making sure water resources are always available.
He also said, at this time, the flames seem to moving away from San Clemente and towards San Juan Capistrano.
See map of evacuations for Norte Fire burning in Orange County
Crews are battling a fast-moving fire that is threatening homes in the San Clemente area near San Juan Capistrano, triggering evacuation orders for nearby residents.
The Norte Fire was first reported shortly after 11:30 a.m. Friday in the area of Portico Del Norte.
Evacuation orders are issued for the following zones, meaning there is a lawful order to leave now:
- SCL12
- SCL13
- SJC04
- SJC05
- SJC10
Evacuation shelters have been set up for impacted residents at the San Juan Capistrano Community Center on Camino del Avion and the San Clemente Community Center on Calle Seville.
Visit CalFire's website for more information on the Norte Fire and more details on evacuations.
Evacuation orders issued for fast-growing fire near San Clemente
Crews are battling a fast-moving fire that is threatening homes in the San Clemente area, triggering evacuation orders for nearby residents.
The vegetation fire quickly spread to at least 250 acres. Fire crews are aggressively battling the fire from the air and from the ground.
The Norte Fire was reported shortly after 11:30 a.m. Friday in the area of Portico Del Norte, according to the Orange County Fire Authority, not far from San Juan Capistrano.
"Crews are aggressively attacking the fire from the ground and air," the agency said in a social media post. "Please continue to avoid the area."
Evacuation orders are issued for the following zones, meaning there is a lawful order to leave now:
- SCL12
- SCL13
- SJC04
- SJC05
- SJC10
Click here to see a map of the evacuation zones.
The smoke is visible across South Orange County.
Brush fire burns at least 50 acres amid heat advisory in San Clemente
A vegetation broke out in San Clemente on Friday afternoon and quickly spread to at least 50 acres, officials said.
The so-called Norte Fire was reported shortly after 11:30 a.m. in the area of Portico Del Norte, according to the Orange County Fire Authority.
"Crews are aggressively attacking the fire from the ground and air," the agency said in a social media post. "Please continue to avoid the area."
There were no immediate reports of injuries.
The fire was burning amid 90-degree temperatures in the area, and the National Weather Service said a heat advisory was in effect.
The cause of the fire was unknown.
No comments:
Post a Comment