The Newshound

Thousands of Californians return home as firefighters gain ground on the Norte Fire that damaged or destroyed six homes

Most evacuation orders were lifted on Saturday evening, with only one street in San Clemente still off limits. The blaze broke out around 11:30am on Friday and exploded from 10 acres to more than 450 in about four hours, driven by Santa Ana winds. By Saturday it covered 570 acres. Two firefighters were taken to hospital, and the cause remains under investigation.

About 16,000 residents of San Clemente and San Juan Capistrano were ordered to flee Friday's flames.

Mountain bikers on the Las Ramblas trail escaped a fireball: 'The heat on our faces was terrifying.'

Resident Robert Morris, who has lived there since 1995, called it 'a wake-up call'.

MoreThe 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 homeCBS NewsCalifornia homeowners describe terrifying moments when Norte fire spread, forced evacuationsAPPhotos show wildfire fueled by high winds engulfing coastal homes in Southern CaliforniaNYTFirefighters Race to Control California Wildfires as Winds Threaten to Spark MoreNY 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 remain
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