Some evacuation orders in south Orange County were lifted Saturday as crews work to increase containment of the wind-driven Norte Fire, which burned hundreds of acres and several homes, officials said.
The 570-acre blaze sparked near Portico Del Norte in San Clemente around 11:30 a.m. Friday and quickly spread through parts of San Juan Capistrano, according to the Orange County Fire Authority. As of Saturday morning, it was 5% contained.
Video shows scorched hillsides and houses. At least six homes, mostly believed to be in San Juan Capistrano, have been damaged or destroyed, the OCFA said.
Evacuation orders were issued across multiple neighborhoods in both cities, spanning from the 5 Freeway to the south, La Pata Avenue to the north, Descanso Park to the west and Foster Ranch to the east. The area included about 16,000 people and 4,600 homes, OCFA Fire Chief TJ McGovern said during a Friday evening news conference.
On Saturday afternoon, the OCFA and the Orange County Sheriff’s Department announced that residents in San Clemente Zone 13 could return home and that San Juan Capistrano Zone 10 would be partially repopulated, specifically San Juan Hills High School, the Prima Deshecha Landfill off La Pata and the small residential community off Stallion Ridge.
Orange County Fire AuthorityOrange County Fire Authority
A map showing the areas under evacuation orders (red) and where evacuation orders have been lifted (green) for the Norte Fire on Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026.
“We just want to reiterate that the other evacuation orders are still in effect, and that’s due to the fact that we do have an active fire line, we do have wind, and we have a heat advisory in effect, so there’s still a risk,” OCFA Public Information Officer Greg Barta said in a social media video.
Evacuation centers were established at San Juan Capistrano Community Center (25925 Camino del Avion) and San Clemente Community Center (100 Calle Seville).
Two firefighters were taken to the hospital with “significant injuries” but were in stable condition, fire officials said. No other injuries were reported.
While winds dropped significantly overnight across Southern California, a red flag warning remains in place until 8 p.m. Saturday. Near the Norte Fire, temperatures in the 90s were expected with 5 to 10 mile-per-hour winds Saturday afternoon.
“After the winds are over, we focus on the next weather change, which will be a big cooldown and chance of rain Wednesday and Thursday this week,” NBC4 Meteorologist Shanna Mendiola said.
The cause of the fire is still under investigation.
This is a developing story. Please refresh for updates.