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Norte Fire that burned 7 homes in South OC reaches 75% containment
The Norte Fire near San Clemente on Friday afternoon.
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Alert California
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UC San Diego
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What you should know
All evacuations have been lifted and crews on Monday increased containment of the Norte Fire in South Orange County to 75% after a weekend when temperatures dropped and winds calmed. The fire ignited Friday amid hot, dry, windy weather and burned at least seven structures as it charred 570 acres in San Juan Capistrano and San Clemente.
"Crews will continue working to extinguish hot spots and strengthen containment lines," the Orange County Fire Authority said in a post online Monday.
The cause of the fire was under investigation.
LAist is no longer updating this article as of Monday, Oct. 19. Check these sites for further updates on the Norte Fire:
The basics
- Acreage: 570 acres
- Containment: 75% as of Oct. 19
- Structures destroyed or damaged: 7
- Deaths: None
- Injuries: 2 firefighters
Evacuations
All evacuations were lifted Saturday night. Orange County's emergency map is here.
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An information hotline at (714) 628-7085 was established for community members with questions.
How fast the fire moved
"Due to weather and topography, this fire moved fast,” Orange County Fire Authority chief TJ McGovern said. “It was a wind-driven event.”
The fire ignited around 11:30 a.m. near Portico Del Norte and Eminencia Del Norte in San Clemente, according to Cal Fire. The Orange County Fire Authority received a call at 11:33 a.m. and sent crews that were already on standby, McGovern said.
“When the call came in, we had a robust response already ready to go from the air and the ground, and I can tell you — that made a difference,” he said.
No residents were hurt, but two firefighters were injured and were being treated at a local hospital, McGovern said.
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Fire resources and tips
Check out LAist's wildfire recovery guide
If you have to evacuate:
- Why fire officials don't want you to stay and defend your home
- How to get packed up
- How to leave your house
- What evacuation terms mean and how to sign up for alerts
Navigating fire conditions:
- How to drive in high winds and fire danger
- How to prep for power outages
- How to navigate poor air quality
How to help yourself and others:
- Resources for fire victims, evacuees and first responders
- If you want to help fire victims, resist the urge to volunteer
- How to help find lost pets
How to start the recovery process:
- What to do — and not do — when you get home after a wildfire
- How to make an insurance claim
- How to safely clean up wildfire ash
What to do for your kids:
- How to talk to children about wildfires and losing a home
- What parents should know about wildfire air quality
Prepare for the next disaster:
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You come to LAist because you want independent reporting and trustworthy local information. Our nonprofit newsroom doesn’t answer to shareholders looking to turn a profit. Instead, we answer to you and our communities. We are free to follow facts wherever they lead and to hold power to account without fear or favor. Our only loyalty is to our readers and listeners and our mission: to inform, engage, and strengthen Southern California’s communities.
If this story helped you, please become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission. It just takes 1 minute to donate below.
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