California wildfires destroyed several homes in southern California as hot, dry and powerful winds prompted evacuations and left more than 175,000 electricity customers without power.
The most immediate threat was in San Clemente, about an hour south-east of Los Angeles, where a wind-driven blaze spread into neighbouring San Juan Capistrano. The fire had grown to about 81 hectares and was threatening buildings as flames were pushed towards San Juan Capistrano.
San Clemente Mayor Rick Loeffler said the fire was being driven by strong winds. Evacuation orders were issued in both communities.
Several other fires were burning across the region as forecasters warned of Santa Ana winds, which blow from inland southern California towards the coast and offshore. Winds of 32 to 56km/h were expected, with gusts reaching between 80 and 112km/h in some areas.
The National Weather Service said falling humidity would create “a critical fire weather threat”. The most dangerous conditions were expected through Friday afternoon, while the heightened risk was forecast to continue until Saturday night.
Evacuations ordered as California wildfires spread
More than 400 firefighters fought the Bryson Fire overnight. By Friday morning, it had covered about 100 hectares and threatened a Los Angeles County juvenile detention and rehabilitation facility, which was evacuated on Thursday night.
A fire in Malibu also led to evacuation orders and warnings across a wide area of the Santa Monica Mountains. A large plume of black smoke rose above the hills and could be seen from nearby areas.
Fire crews were also working to contain fires that began on Thursday afternoon in Azusa, north of Los Angeles, and at Camp Pendleton near San Diego. Both had prompted evacuation orders.
Kevin McGowan, director of the Los Angeles County Office of Emergency Management, said the strongest and longest-lasting winds were expected during Friday afternoon.
“Strong winds and very dry conditions will continue to cause fire starts to spread rapidly, so we’re urging everyone to remain vigilant,” he said.
Rose Schoenfeld, a National Weather Service meteorologist, said the elevated fire risk covered a broad area of southern California. “It’s a pretty widespread event of elevated fire weather, so the whole SoCal region should really be on alert,” she said.
Critical, although brief, fire weather conditions were also forecast for parts of the Santa Lucia mountains in San Luis Obispo County.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass directed the city’s fire department to deploy personnel and equipment ahead of the strongest winds. The department also requested assistance from California’s office of emergency services.
Power was switched off in parts of the state as a safety measure, with outages reported across northern, central and southern California.
