Firefighters battle the wind-driven Norte Fire in California after it burned six coastal homes and forced 16,000 to evacuate
The Norte Fire grew to 570 acres overnight near San Clemente and San Juan Capistrano and was only 5% contained by Saturday morning. Two firefighters were taken to hospital with significant injuries, though both are stable. Residents of the San Clemente zones were later allowed home. In San Juan Capistrano, only the Stallion Ridge community has been cleared to return.
The blaze exploded from 10 acres to over 450 in four hours, fanned by Santa Ana winds.
San Clemente Mayor Rick Loeffler said stronger winds could have made it 'a whole lot worse'.
Mountain bikers on the Las Ramblas trail fled a towering fireball: 'Today, God was with us!!!!'
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