Southern California Wildfires Destroy Homes, Force Evacuations
13 sourcesUpdated Oct 17, 20261 min read
Hot, dry conditions and powerful Santa Ana winds fueled several Southern California fires Friday, prompting evacuations and power shutoffs that left tens of thousands without electricity. The Norte Fire spread from near San Clemente into San Juan Capistrano, burning hundreds of acres and damaging or destroying at least four homes; one firefighter was treated for heat exhaustion. Evacuations were ordered in the Norte Fire area and near Malibu for the Bryson Fire, while forward progress was stopped at the Peak Fire in Azusa. Red Flag, high-wind and heat advisories covered parts of the region, with gusts reaching 69 mph in Orange County. Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency in four counties to aid recovery from Tropical Storm Rachel.
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San Clemente and Capistrano getting hit like this shows we need better ways to protect homes in these areas.
Power shutoffs might stop new sparks but it's hard on everyone stuck without lights or fridges right now.
The winds are just too strong this time, those fires moved way too fast through the neighborhoods.
