All evacuation orders for San Clemente and San Juan Capistrano were lifted Sunday as the Norte Fire was reported 50% contained. The blaze, which began Friday at 11:30 a.m., has burned a total of 570 acres.
The fire spread rapidly under fierce Santa Ana winds, consuming 250 acres in its first hour. A total of 467 firefighters have been assigned to the effort, and containment improved enough to reach the half‑way mark by Sunday.
Seven homes were either destroyed or damaged during the incident.