Driven by fierce Santa Ana winds, a wildfire exploded across hundreds of acres straddling San Clemente and San Juan Capistrano Friday, burning multiple homes and prompting widespread evacuation orders, but there were no immediate reports of injuries.
The fire in the area of Portico Del Norte broke out about 11:30 a.m., according to the Orange County Fire Authority. By early afternoon, the blaze had spread across at least 250 acres.
Reports from the scene indicated at least eight structures were burned as the fire rapidly grew in size, with affected structures generally in the area of Avenida Calita, Via La Mirada and Via De Agua in San Juan Capistrano. Video from the scene showed flames burning through the roofs of multiple structures in the area. It was unclear exactly how many homes were affected, but additional burning homes were spotted as the afternoon wore on.
The wind-whipped blaze prompted evacuation orders in multiple neighborhoods of San Clemente and San Juan Capistrano, including streets off Camino Las Ramblas down to the San Diego (5) Freeway.
Evacuation centers were established at San Juan Capistrano Community Center, 25925 Camino del Avion; and San Clemente Community Center, 100 Calle Seville.
Crews were battling the fire on the ground and with the assistance of water-dropping aircraft, with additional strike teams summoned to the scene as the conflagration grew rapidly.
In response to the fire, the Capistrano Unified School District announced that students were being dismissed early at multiple schools — Bernice Ayer, Clarence Lobo, Concordia, Harold Ambuehl, Palisades, San Clemente, San Juan Hills, Shorecliffs, Truman Benedict and Vista Del Mar.
The cause of the fire was unknown.