Norte Fire jumps to 465 acres in Orange County, homes 'impacted'

(This story was updated to add new information.)

A wildfire burning in Orange County has spurred evacuation orders on Friday, Oct. 16. It's among the blazes that have ignited amid elevated fire conditions in Southern California.

Firefighters are on the scene of a vegetation fire burning in San Clemente and San Juan Capistrano reported just after 11:30 a.m., according to the Orange County Fire Authority and the Orange County Sheriff's Department. The fire is around Portico Del Norte, county fire officials said earlier Friday.

The blaze comes as Santa Ana winds bring critical fire weather conditions to much of southwest California through Saturday, Oct. 17, the National Weather Service Los Angeles said.

The fire has surged to 465 acres, according to an update from county fire officials on Friday afternoon. Authorities are urging people to avoid the area as crews attack the fire from ground and air.

It comes as the region faces heat advisories and high wind warnings Friday.

See Norte Fire evacuations

Evacuation orders are in effect for the following zones as of Friday afternoon, which can be viewed on the Orange County Sheriff’s website:

• SJC04
• SJC05
• SJC10
• SCL12
• SCL13

Here’s where evacuation shelters have been set up at, according to county fire officials:

• San Juan Capistrano Community Center: 25925 Camino del Avion, San Juan
• San Clemente Community Center: 100 Calle Seville, San Clemente

Four homes 'impacted' in Norte Fire

County fire officials said that four homes off Via La Mirada in San Juan Capistrano have been "impacted" in an update just before 2:30 p.m. Friday. County fire officials previously said structures are threatened, although it’s not immediately clear how many.

Footage online shared by county fire officials shows just how close in proximity some residences are to the blaze.

Mission San Juan Capistrano closes early Friday

The historic Mission San Juan Capistrano closed early Friday out of precaution due to the Norte Fire, the Orange County Register reported. The mission was established in 1776.

See California fire map

Paris Barraza is a reporter covering Los Angeles and Southern California for the USA TODAY Network. Reach her at [email protected].