A fast-moving wildfire in Orange County, Southern California, has damaged or destroyed at least six homes and forced evacuation orders covering about 6,000 properties as firefighters tackle intense heat, low humidity and strong winds.
The Norte Fire began in the coastal city of San Clemente on Friday before spreading into neighbouring San Juan Capistrano. By the evening, it had burned between 188 and 231 hectares (465 to 570 acres), according to figures from the Orange County Fire Authority and California’s Cal Fire agency.
About 16,000 residents were under evacuation orders. Shelters have opened in both cities, while helicopters have been deployed to drop water on the flames.
The Orange County Fire Authority said crews were “aggressively attacking the fire from the ground and air” and urged people to stay away from the area.
Santa Ana winds drive fire spread
Unseasonably high temperatures and low humidity have helped the blaze grow rapidly, while winds in coastal areas reached between 55km/h and 90km/h (35mph and 55mph).
The conditions are being driven by Santa Ana winds, intense warm gusts that blow from the south-western US interior towards the California coast. The winds commonly arrive in autumn, when vegetation is at its driest after a long, rainless summer.
The strongest winds were expected to continue through Friday, but the hot, dry conditions supporting the fire’s growth were forecast to last until Saturday night.
Tens of thousands of people in Los Angeles County lost power as authorities tried to reduce the risk of electrical sparks being carried by the powerful gusts.
Firefighters were also tackling the Bryson Fire near Malibu, which had burned about 59 hectares (147 acres) and was 17% contained by Friday.
In San Diego County, the Henderson Fire had burned 842 hectares (2,080 acres) and was 20% contained. It affected Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton and led to freeway closures.
