California firefighters gain ground on the Norte Fire as thousands return home after the blaze burned six coastal homes
Residents across all evacuated zones in San Clemente have been allowed to return home, though in San Juan Capistrano only the Stallion Ridge community has received clearance. The fire ignited at 11:30am on Friday, and hot Santa Ana winds pushed it into San Juan Capistrano, displacing roughly 16,000 people. By Saturday it had burned 570 acres and stood at just 5% containment. A pair of firefighters required hospital treatment, and investigators have yet to determine the cause.
Mountain bikers and their child escaped a wall of flames on the Las Ramblas trail.
San Clemente Mayor Rick Loeffler said stronger winds 'could have been a whole lot worse'.
Resident Laura Hart had never had to flee a wildfire in her more than 50 years living there.
More
The IndependentFire crews battle Southern California blaze that burned 6 homes, led to the evacuation of 16,000APFirefighters gain ground on Southern California blaze, allowing thousands to return homeAPPhotos show wildfire fueled by high winds engulfing coastal homes in Southern CaliforniaNY PostCyclists run into wall of flames from Norte Fire in Orange CountyNY PostFast-moving SoCal wildfire grows overnight after burning several homesCBS NewsNorte Fire continues to burn in San Juan Capistrano, leaving homes destroyed; evacuations remainNewsweekNorte fire images show multiple homes destroyed as blaze explodesCBS NewsThousands evacuate as massive California fires engulf homesThe TelegraphWildfires burn million-dollar homes in CaliforniaThe IndependentCalifornia wildfire forces thousands to evacuate as blaze destroys coastal homes