
The so-called Norte fire has already destroyed several houses and is spreading quickly due to high temperatures and strong winds.
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Southern California is prone to wildfires, often fueled by dry Santa Ana winds. There were already devastating fires in the Los Angeles region in January 2025.
A rapidly spreading fire in Southern California has damaged or destroyed at least six homes, according to fire officials. The so-called Norte fire near San Clemente, around 90 kilometers south of Los Angeles, grew to an area of around two square kilometers within a few hours on Friday, said fire chief Mark Backoff in Orange County.
According to Cal Fire, the Norte Fire is currently at zero percent control.
Evacuation orders were in effect for several areas. According to the fire department, around 4,600 houses and at least 16,000 people are affected. Around 400 firefighters are fighting the flames, and 400 more are already on their way to the fire. Two firefighters were injured during the operation and taken to nearby hospitals.
Strong winds can spread fires quickly
Temperatures in Southern California climbed to over 30 degrees Celsius in places. The weather agency has forecast Santa Ana winds for some regions. These are strong, dry winds that can quickly advance fires. The responsible energy supplier, Southern California Edison, switched off the electricity in particularly vulnerable areas as a precautionary measure. In the past, fires have repeatedly broken out because strong gusts damaged power poles and lines, causing sparks.
In January 2025, major fires left a path of destruction in parts of Los Angeles. With strong Santa Ana winds, the flames spread from the western edge of the metropolis to the beaches of Malibu. There was also another major fire in Altadena, on the eastern edge of Los Angeles County. The fire brigade was on large-scale operations for weeks to contain the fires. More than 16,000 buildings were destroyed at that time. 31 people were killed.

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