High winds spark fast-moving Southern California wildfire that razes homes and forces mass evacuations
NPR reported that on 15 October a fast-moving wildfire driven by strong offshore winds destroyed six homes in San Juan Capistrano and forced the evacuation of about 16,000 residents in Southern California. According to NBC 7 San Diego, the fire started on the U. S.
Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, burning more than 1,100 acres on 15 October and prompting a temporary closure of Interstate 5 and the evacuation of base personnel; a spot fire from the same blaze forced a second I-5 shutdown on 16 October while containment stood at about 20 percent. ABC News reported that Orange County officials ordered evacuations for thousands of residents as the fire spread across San Juan Capistrano and San Clemente, and the BBC noted that strong Santa Ana winds continued to fuel the blaze and that a firefighter was injured. CBS News added that the fire had scorched roughly 570 acres, damaged six homes and that state and local agencies, including the California Highway Patrol, Metrolink and Amtrak, deployed air tankers, night-time helicopters and suspended rail service.
