What the Southern California Wildfires Mean for Residents and Drivers

A fast-moving wildfire in Orange County, California, has damaged or destroyed six homes and prompted mandatory evacuations for about 6,000 homes, affecting 16,000 residents, according to The Guardian. The Norte Fire is one of several blazes driven by strong Santa Ana winds across Southern California.

The BBC reported that the fire started Friday and grew to 465 acres by evening. By Saturday morning it had reached 570 acres and was 5% contained, The Guardian reported, citing the Orange County Fire Authority (OCFA).

What it means for people in the fire zones

The fire began in San Clemente, and wind pushed it into San Juan Capistrano, according to The Guardian. Footage posted online showed flames moving through homes in both communities, the BBC reported. An evacuation shelter opened in each city.

No injuries or deaths among residents had been reported, OCFA Chief TJ McGovern said at a Friday news conference. The cause of the fire is under investigation, according to an OCFA statement.

McGovern attributed the fire's speed to weather and terrain. “This was a wind-driven event,” he said.

Reports differ on firefighter injuries. The BBC, citing Division 3 Fire Chief Mark Backoff, said one firefighter suffered heat exhaustion. The Guardian, citing officials and the OCFA, said two firefighters were taken to the hospital with heat-related injuries.

What it means for drivers and power customers

Farther south, the Henderson Fire in San Diego County broke out just before 2 p.m. Thursday, according to The Guardian. It twice forced officials to close Interstate 5, a major West Coast route, the BBC reported. The BBC said the fire burned around Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton.

The Guardian reported that the freeway closure was fully lifted Friday evening and that no injuries had been reported from that fire. Its cause is unknown and under investigation.

The BBC reported that the Henderson Fire had grown to more than 2,000 acres. The Guardian, citing Cal Fire, put it at 3,132 acres and 35% containment.

The National Weather Service (NWS) warned motorists in the Los Angeles area to watch for debris blown onto roads. Winds there topped 40mph, the BBC reported.

Power was also affected. In Northern California, Pacific Gas and Electric proactively shut off electricity to nearly 62,000 customers in 26 counties on Wednesday night to keep utility equipment from sparking fires, The Guardian reported. According to poweroutage.com, more than 118,000 customers in California were without power as of Friday.

Other fires and the weather behind them

Cal Fire says 13 fires are burning across the state, the BBC reported. Among them is the Bryson Fire in Malibu, which has grown to 147 acres. It has triggered evacuation orders across the Santa Monica Mountains, and more than 400 firefighters are working on it, according to the BBC.

The NWS issued a red flag warning for several California counties because of gusty winds, low humidity and dry vegetation. The Guardian reported that the warning for parts of Southern California runs through Saturday night. Gusts ranged from 50-70mph as of Saturday morning, the outlet said.

Temperatures were far above average for the time of year, according to the BBC. The NWS issued a heat advisory, saying the risk of heat-related illness remained high. Forecasts called for highs of 95F in Southern California on Saturday.

What happens next

Officials said the Santa Ana winds peaked Friday but would stay dangerous into early Saturday. The NWS said the potential for extreme fire behavior and rapid spread could still rise, The Guardian reported. Backoff said additional firefighting resources were on the way to the Norte Fire.

OCFA crews worked through the night by land and air to strengthen containment lines, according to The Guardian. The cause of the Norte and Henderson fires remains under investigation.

Sources: BBC News, The Guardian