Evacuation orders for nearly all residents affected by the Norte fire in San Clemente and San Juan Capistrano were lifted by Saturday evening, allowing 3,700 residents to return to their homes. The blaze, which scorched more than 570 acres in residential areas, damaged or destroyed at least six homes, including several stately residences on Via La Mirada.
Firefighters worked through Friday afternoon and Saturday, with containment of the Norte fire reaching 25% by Saturday evening. The only area remaining shut off to vehicles was Via La Mirada north of Esperanza, due to the presence of emergency crews, fire officials said in a social media post.
Orange County Fire Authority Capt. Sean Doran noted the crucial role of air resources, stating, “We’re thankful enough that the wind conditions allowed those air assets to continue flying the entire time, which was a gift.” This assistance was vital as Southern California experienced unusual heat and unrelenting winds that fueled several blazes.
Residents recounted dramatic escapes. Susan Kannakko, 51, who lives on Calle Delgado in San Clemente, described the fire rushing toward her house as "like out of a movie." Her housemate, Luke Falanga, 30, spotted the fire from his room and warned others, later helping save the house even as the roof caught fire, using water and garden hoses.
Amid the disruptions, German travelers Luis Widmesser and Lukas Holzer, both 19, found themselves diverted from their journey on the 5 Freeway and spent a night at the San Juan Capistrano Boys and Girls Club, which served as an evacuation center.
The National Weather Service's Red Flag Warning expired by 6 p.m. Saturday as high winds simmered down and temperatures cooled. Sam Zuber, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service office in San Diego, indicated that the "most dangerous conditions are likely behind us," with winds forecast to continue dying down. However, firefighters remained on high alert, with strong, easterly winds expected to persist.
San Clemente Mayor Rick Loeffler advised residents to heed evacuation orders but to avoid local roads unless absolutely necessary to ensure first responders could move swiftly. Governor Gavin Newsom announced that California had secured emergency disaster assistance from the Federal Emergency Management Agency to support suppression efforts for the Norte fire.
Beyond Orange County, other fires also saw progress. In northern San Diego County, the Henderson fire swept across more than 3,100 acres near Camp Pendleton, destroying at least one building and reaching 50% containment. The Bryson fire in the Santa Monica Mountains burned nearly 150 acres near the Malibu Country Club. Los Angeles County Sheriff Department officials stated that all evacuation orders and warnings for the Bryson fire were lifted by Saturday evening, with no homes or structures lost or damaged. Governor Newsom lauded firefighters for minimizing damage in Malibu, and Southern California Edison crews were expected to restore power to communities in Malibu after inspections. Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass’s office also announced the Los Angeles Fire Department was pre-deploying resources across high-risk areas due to fire threats.
However, tens of thousands of residents across the region remained without power Saturday due to the blustery conditions, ongoing fires, and precautionary power shutoffs. The South Coast Air Quality Management District issued smoke advisories for areas including portions of Newport Beach to San Clemente due to the Norte fire.
Scientists have projected that climate change would lead to fewer Santa Ana winds by the end of the century, with a new UCLA paper indicating this trend is already underway.
