▲ The "Norte Fire" in California, U.S.
US media outlets, including CNN, reported that strong winds fueled the rapid spread of a wildfire in Orange County, California, on the 16th local time, damaging multiple homes and triggering evacuation orders for residents.
According to the Orange County Fire Authority, the "Norte Fire," which broke out around noon that day near residential areas in San Clemente and San Juan Capistrano, expanded to 570 acres (approximately 2.3 square kilometers) by the evening, with containment remaining at 0 percent.
Fire officials are focusing on preventing the flames from spreading beyond the current fire perimeter, stated Fire Chief TJ McGovern.
The wildfire has destroyed or damaged six homes, and two firefighters sustained serious injuries and are being treated at a nearby hospital.
Evacuation orders have been issued for multiple areas in San Clemente and San Juan Capistrano.
The affected areas include approximately 4,600 households and 16,000 residents.
This wildfire is one of several that broke out across Southern California starting the previous day, driven by the Santa Ana winds—dry seasonal winds often referred to as the "devil winds."
In Malibu, the "Bryson Fire" that erupted the previous day put over 7,000 structures under evacuation orders or warnings as of that day.
In the San Juan Capistrano area that afternoon, peak wind gusts reached about 40 kilometers per hour, and strong winds persisted into the evening.
Orange County Fire Authority spokesperson Steve Concialdi warned that "winds are still blowing quite strongly," noting that embers carried by the Santa Ana winds could spark new fires.
The Santa Ana winds are forecast to blow strongly through the 17th before subsiding later in the weekend.
Due to the wildfires in Southern California, utility companies have temporarily cut off power to tens of thousands of households over concerns that electrical equipment could spark fires.
(Photo: AP, Yonhap News)
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