Orange County fire in San Clemente / 10/16/2026

This is amazing.

An American flag was still flying on top of Patriots Hill in Orange County after a massive fired torched the hillside in San Juan Capistrano.

A massive vegetation fire erupted in South Orange County, California, on Friday afternoon amid gusty Santa Ana winds.

The blaze, dubbed the Norte Fire, has exploded to more than 570 acres in San Clemente and San Juan Capistrano.

Several homes in San Clemente and San Juan Capistrano are engulfed in flames.

More than 500 firefighters are currently battling the Norte Fire, according to the Orange County Fire Authority.

At the time of this publication, the Norte Fire is 14% contained.

The fire is currently at 465 acres.
#NorteFire

— OCFA (@OCFireAuthority) October 16, 2026

Evacuation orders have been issued for San Juan zones 4,5 and 10. OC Fire also issued evacuation orders for San Clemente zones 12 and 13.

Evacuation shelters are available at:

• San Juan Capistrano Community Center
25925 Camino del Avion, San Juan Capistrano.

• San Clemente Community Center
100 Calle Seville, San Clemente.

#NorteFire evacuation shelters are available at:

• San Juan Capistrano Community Center
25925 Camino del Avion, San Juan Capistrano.

• San Clemente Community Center
100 Calle Seville, San Clemente.

If you are under an evacuation order, leave now. https://t.co/Sh9tE1GpNj

— OCFA (@OCFireAuthority) October 16, 2026

The American flag at the top of Patriots Hill, a scenic point on a hiking trail in San Juan Capistrano, was untouched by the blaze.

“You can see that the fire really tore through these hills, but the flag is still flying on the top of the Patriots Hill there,” ABC 7 reporter said.

“So pretty amazing that that area kind of held up,” she said.

WATCH: