Norte Fire burns six homes in Orange County as Santa Ana winds drive California wildfire emergency

A fast-moving wildfire erupted in San Clemente on Friday morning, tearing through 465 acres in roughly three hours and destroying or damaging at least six homes in San Juan Capistrano before crews knocked down the majority of the blaze by early evening. Two firefighters were hospitalised with significant injuries, and evacuation orders hit multiple zones across San Clemente and San Juan Capistrano, forcing nine Capistrano Unified schools to dismiss pupils early. Governor Gavin Newsom secured a FEMA grant to rush additional resources to Orange County as the Norte Fire burned simultaneously with other blazes, including the Bryson Fire north of Malibu.

Santa Ana wind gusts of up to 70mph drove critical fire-weather conditions across the region, with tens of thousands losing power from deliberate utility shutoffs.

'I've lived here since 1995 and this is the first time we've really ever had a fire in this area — it's a wake-up call,' said Orange County resident Robert Morris.