Wildfire Destroys Homes In South OC; Evacuations Ordered

SAN CLEMENTE, CA — Firefighters Friday were battling two wind-driven brush fires that exploded to hundreds of acres in neighboring cities, burning homes and triggering evacuations all in a matter of hours.

RELATED: San Clemente Fire Map: See Norte Fire Perimeter, Evacuation Areas

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Orange County firefighters were battling steep terrain and gusty conditions in both San Clemente and San Juan Capistrano early Friday afternoon.

According to firefighters, crews on the scene near Via La Mirada in San Juan Capistrano say there are as many as eight homes currently burning as a result of the flames.

The first fire ignited at around 11:30 a.m. Friday in the area of Portico Del Norte and has since been dubbed the Norte Fire, according to the Orange County Fire Authority.

As of 12:24 p.m., the Norte Fire was estimated to be roughly 50 to 70 acres. By 1 p.m., that number jumped up to 250 acres.

By 12:40 p.m., a second brush fire had ignited near Via La Mirada in San Juan Capistrano, near the scene of the Norte Fire, firefighters said. Officials subsequently considered it part of the Norte Fire.

Evacuation orders were issued for San Juan Zones 4, 5 and 10 and San Clemente Zone 12 and 13.

"If you are in one of these zones, leave immediately," firefighters said.

Multiple structures were reported to be under immediate threat by both fires. Firefighters reported that flames were beginning to spread into backyards at around 12:40 p.m.

Crews were battling the fire on the ground and with the assistance of water-dropping aircraft, with additional strike teams summoned to the scene as the conflagration grew rapidly.

The wildfire outbreak prompted Capistrano Unified School District officials to dismiss several nearby schools early, including Bernice Ayer, Clarence Lobo, Concordia, Harold Ambuehl, Palisades, San Clemente, San Juan Hills, Shorecliffs, Truman Benedict and Vista Del Mar.

"We are continuing to monitor the situation and will update you on any new developments," district officials said in a statement.

City News Service contributed to this report.