Wildfire races through SoCal, burning homes as mass evacuations ordered

A wildfire in Orange County exploded in size Friday, forcing evacuation orders as it torched homes and threatened dozens more, growing to over 460 acres in just three hours. The Norte Fire broke out around 11:30 a.m. in the San Clemente area and quickly grew to at least 50 acres by around noon, according to the Orange County Fire Authority and CalFire . 11 Firefighters battle the Norte Fire in San Juan Capistrano, California, on Friday, Oct. 16, 2026. AFP via Getty Images 11 A man throws water from a bucket onto a fire as smoke billows from the Norte fire as wildfires rages. REUTERS 11 The blaze had “impacted” several homes off Via La Mira in San Juan Capistrano. Getty Images By 1:12 p.m., the fire blew up to 250 acres and had 0% containment. The OCFA confirmed on X the blaze had “impacted” four homes off Via La Mira in San Juan Capistrano. Explore More The extreme measures Oregon shooter took to enter the school — and why he targeted special-ed room New details revealed about hero girl dad who stopped Oregon school shooter Griffin J. John during his lunch break First photos of Oregon school shooter Griffin John revealed As of 2:41 p.m., the fire has burned 465 acres, according to CalFire . 11 Crews battle a wind-driven brush fire that burned several homes and threatened hundreds of others in San Juan Capistrano and San Clemente, Friday. O.C. Fire Authority officials said the Norte Fire started around 11:30 a.m. and grew to 250 acres by 1 p.m., prompting evacuation orders. AFP via Getty Images 11 A firefighter works to douse a fire on the roof of a house engulfed in flames during the Norte Fire. AP Photo/Jae C. Hong 11 Crews battle a wind-driven brush fire burning several homes in the area of San Juan Capistrano and San Clemente. KTLA Aerial footage from KTLA showed several homes burning in the San Clemente area as the fire approached many more. “Crews are aggressively attacking the fire from the ground and air. Please continue to avoid the area,” Cal Fire wrote in a 12:30 p.m. update. 11 The Norte Fire broke out around 11:30 a.m. in the area of Portico Del Norte and quickly grew to at least 50 acres AFP via Getty Images 11 The Norte Fire broke out around 11:30 a.m. in the San Clemente area and quickly grew to at least 50 acres by around noon, according to the Orange County Fire Authority and CAL FIRE. 11 Crews fight the Norte Fire in San Clemente as it threatens homes in the area. FOX 11 Los Angeles Evacuation orders have been issued for San Juan Zones 4, 5, and 10 as well as San Clemente Zones 12 and 13. Heat, strong winds, and dry conditions were fueling the blaze as firefighters and aerial support worked to stop its spread. Smoke from the fire prompted the Capistrano Unified School District to urge students to stay indoors due to the smoke. 11 Heat, strong winds and dry conditions were fueling the blaze as firefighters and aerial support worked to stop its spread. KTLA San Clemente Mayor Rick Loeffler told KTLA the city had been making preparations for a fire. “We actually instituted a goat program about a year ago, a pilot program to have goats start clearing our hillsides,” he said. “The county supplied a pumpkin tank at the top of our ridge, which allows helicopters to come in and resupply their water quickly.” 11 A firefighter works to douse a fire on the roof of a house engulfed in flames during the Norte Fire on Friday, Oct. 16, 2026. AP Photo/Jae C. Hong The fire is one of several scorching SoCal right now, as fire officials are also dealing with the Bryson Fire in Malibu, the Henderson Fire near Camp Pendleton, and the Peak Fire in Azusa. Ongoing Red Flag Warnings in effect across much of Los Angeles and Ventura counties have signalled ideal conditions for fires to break out. Officials advise those in the community to avoid the area of the fire. There are no reported injuries. The cause of the fire is under investigation. Download The California Post App, follow us on social, and subscribe to our newsletters California Post News : Facebook , Instagram , TikTok , X , YouTube , WhatsApp , LinkedIn California Post Sports Facebook , Instagram , TikTok , YouTube , X California Post Opinion California Post Newsletters : Sign up here! California Post App : Download here! Home delivery : Sign up here! Page Six Hollywood : Sign up here!