Santa Ana winds drive three Southern California wildfires, forcing 16,000 residents to evacuate

17 October 2026

Three wildfires were burning in Southern California as of 16 October 2026, driven by Santa Ana winds of 55 to 90 kilometres an hour in coastal areas.
The Norte Fire began in San Clemente in Orange County and spread into San Juan Capistrano. The Orange County Fire Authority put it at about 188 hectares and Cal Fire at about 231 hectares by the evening.
At least six homes were damaged or destroyed in the San Juan Capistrano area, and about 6,000 homes and 16,000 residents were under evacuation orders, with a shelter opened in each city.
The Bryson Fire, which broke out on the outskirts of the Malibu beach community in Los Angeles County, had burned about 59 hectares and was 17 per cent contained.
The Henderson Fire in San Diego County had burned about 842 hectares and was 20 per cent contained, affecting Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton and prompting freeway closures.
Tens of thousands of people in Los Angeles County lost power as authorities tried to reduce the risk of sparks from the wind.
High heat and low humidity were expected to last through Saturday night.