Coastal homes burn as hot winds fuel California fires

A fast-moving wildfire known as the Norte fire has burned through parts of Southern California, prompting thousands of evacuations. According to DW English (Top Stories) and DW News, the fire started in San Clemente and was driven by wind into San Juan Capistrano, scorching approximately 465 acres. While DW English (Top Stories) and DW News report that at least four homes were impacted in the San Juan Capistrano municipality, The Japan News by The Yomiuri Shimbun and The Korea Times state that at least six homes were burned.

The blaze has been fueled by intense Santa Ana winds, low humidity, and unseasonably high temperatures. Forecasters recorded wind gusts between 50 and 70 miles per hour in the mountains, while coastal and valley areas saw gusts between 35 and 55 miles per hour. The Orange County Fire Authority reported that firefighters are attacking the fire from both the ground and the air.

The National Weather Service has warned of a high risk for large fires and rapid growth in Los Angeles, Ventura, San Luis Obispo, and Santa Barbara counties.

The Japan News by The Yomiuri Shimbun and The Korea Times report that two firefighters were hospitalized with heat-related injuries. As of Friday evening, the blaze was less than a square mile, and authorities have not confirmed the cause of the fire. To reduce the risk of electrical sparks, authorities have turned off the electricity supply.

Brief written by urgent.news from NPR, The Japan News by The Yomiuri Shimbun, DW English (Top Stories), DW News, The Korea Times — 5 reports on this story. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.