Update: Norte Fire Grows to 465 Acres, Still Uncontained; Scene Reports Say at Least Eight Structures Burned
SAN CLEMENTE — The Norte Fire in Orange County kept growing on Friday afternoon. According to the Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA) and Watch Duty updates on Oct. 16, the fire had reached 465 acres by 2:38 p.m. (465.5 acres by FIRIS aerial mapping), nearly double the 250 acres reported at 1:12 p.m., with containment still at 0 percent.
On structure losses, OCFA confirmed four homes off Via La Mira in San Juan Capistrano had been impacted, with multiple structures affected around Via La Mirada and Calle Esperanza; media reports from the scene said at least eight structures had burned, and aerials showed flames through the roofs of several homes. Officials have not released a total structure-loss count, and no injuries had been reported as of publication.
Evacuation orders remained in effect for San Juan Capistrano Zones 4, 5 and 10 and San Clemente Zones 12 and 13, with surrounding zones under warnings. Both shelters remained open: the San Juan Capistrano Community Center (25925 Camino del Avion) and the San Clemente Community Center (100 Calle Seville). Interstate 5 remained closed between San Juan Creek Road and Camino De Los Mares.
Nine Capistrano Unified schools dismissed early on Friday. Ground and air crews continued an aggressive attack as additional strike teams arrived; Santa Ana winds, heat and dry conditions persisted under red flag warnings across the Southland, and the incident is still developing.
Background: the fire broke out at about 11:30 a.m. near Eminencia Del Norte in San Clemente; GSM published a first report earlier.
Sources: OCFA; Cal Fire; Watch Duty (data as of 3:04 p.m., Oct. 16)
Source: GSM · USA (original Chinese edition)
Photo: 图片来源：Norte Fire最新态势图，Watch Duty截图，10月16日15:04左右；红色区域为火场周界（465.5英亩），覆盖圣胡安卡皮斯特拉诺与圣克莱门特交界一带，左侧为I-5。Latest situation map of the Norte Fire, screenshot from Watch Duty at about 3:04 p.m. on Oct. 16; the red area is the 465.5-acre fire perimeter across the San Juan Capistrano–San Clemente border, with I-5 at left.
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