Crews reach 5% containment of Norte Fire as some evacuation orders lift

Firefighters reached about 5% containment of the Norte Fire overnight as officials lifted some evacuation orders Saturday in San Clemente and San Juan Capistrano, according to Voice of OC. The fire had burned up to 570 acres.

The partial reopening leaves other Orange County neighborhoods under evacuation orders and road closures. About 16,000 residents and 6,000 structures were under evacuation orders Saturday morning, according to sheriff’s spokeswoman Lizbeth Gwisdalla.

Evacuation orders were lifted throughout Zone 13 in northern San Clemente, Voice of OC reported. In San Juan Capistrano’s Zone 10, the relief applied only to the Stallion Ridge Community, San Juan Hills High School and the Prima Deschecha landfill.

Gwisdalla, a spokeswoman for the Orange County Sheriff’s Department, said roads remained closed in other areas. She urged people to avoid the area while crews continued working.

Greg Barta, a spokesman for the Orange County Fire Authority, said an active fire line, wind and a heat advisory continued to pose risks. Six homes had been damaged and two firefighters injured, according to Barta.

The fire started near the Prima Deschecha landfill around midday Friday. Fueled by Santa Ana winds and dry brush, it expanded from 10 acres to 250 acres within an hour, according to Voice of OC. The cause had not been identified, Barta said.

Officials also announced FEMA funding to support firefighting. Gov. Gavin Newsom said in a press release that the federal assistance would help local and state partners obtain resources to fight the fire and protect residents and property.

Barta said crews would continue attacking the fire Saturday, with the goal of allowing residents to return as soon as conditions were safe.