AP
APTOPIX California Wildfires
The sun is obscured by smoke as firefighters work to save structures on Via La Mirada during the Norte fire in San Clemente, Calif., on Friday, Oct. 16, 2026.
As featured on
A fast-moving fire burned multiple homes in Southern California's hot wind and forced evacuations and power outages. TV footage showed several homes burning Friday in San Juan Capistrano in Orange County, flames engulfing them. The wildfire started in the coastal city of San Clemente and quickly moved into San Juan Capistrano. It was one of several fires in the region that was hit by dry, warm gusts known as Santa Anas. They blow from the interior of Southern California toward the coast and offshore. The strongest winds were expected through Friday afternoon.
