Hey there, San Clemente! Let's get started with what's happening in and around town. Read on and stay in the loop. ☕️️
In today's newsletter:
Also on today's calendar: 2026 Dana Point Turkey Trot and 9 more events.
Today's riddle: What do you get when you cross a fish and an elephant? 🤔 (Answer below!)
☑️ Important voting information: The Nov. 3 general election is coming up. Official California election resources: Find a ballot drop box or vote center | Register to vote | Check your registration | Absentee, mail and early voting.
1. Norte fire at 50% containment; firefighters to guard against rekindling for several days (kansas.com) — San Clemente residents can now return home after all evacuation orders were lifted Saturday evening, with the Norte Fire 50% contained at 570 acres and seven homes destroyed or damaged. Firefighters will remain in San Clemente and San Juan Capistrano for days to prevent flare-ups, repair fire lines, and keep burn areas and some streets closed while they secure the perimeter and investigate the cause.
2. Southern California wildfires spare most homes as fire-zone market stays fragile (insurancebusinessmag.com) — In San Clemente, the Norte Fire has burned 570 acres, damaged or destroyed homes in town and nearby San Juan Capistrano, and prompted evacuations that are now mostly lifted as containment improves. Local readers also face a still-fragile homeowners insurance market, with high property values and past wildfire losses keeping pressure on coverage options and pushing some residents toward the state's FAIR Plan.
3. Southern California wildfires spare most homes, but renew pressure on fire-zone cover (insurancebusinessmag.com) — San Clemente residents are seeing progress against the Norte Fire, which burned 570 acres, damaged or destroyed several homes in town and nearby San Juan Capistrano, and forced evacuations that are now largely lifted. Firefighters report growing containment, no civilian injuries, and only two firefighters hospitalized, while state and federal support and insurance experts focus on claims and the fragile homeowners market in high-risk fire zones.
4. A wave of uncertainty: What the El Niño brings to the California coast (thepanthernewspaper.org) — San Clemente is among several Southern California beaches already suffering serious erosion, flooding, and high surf from this year's powerful El Niño, with conditions expected to worsen through winter. State and local agencies have declared emergencies, closed vulnerable beaches and highway lanes, and urged residents to prepare for more flooding, mudslides, and dangerous surf by signing up for alerts and having evacuation plans ready.
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Ok San Clemente! So now you're in the loop about what's happening today. Thanks for reading, and see you in your inbox next time! Oh -- and if you like what you're reading, invite a friend to Patch AM!
-- The Patch AM Team
P.S. The answer to today's riddle: "What do you get when you cross a fish and an elephant?" — Swimming trunks! (Thank you Kristina F. for sending it in!)
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