California wildfires consume mansions and spread across hundreds of hectares

The Orange County Fire Authority stated that the "Norte" fire has consumed about 465 acres (188 hectares) and damaged about four homes in the upscale municipality of San Juan Capistrano.

The authority added on the X platform that firefighting teams are working from the air and on the ground, renewing their call for residents to stay away from the area.

The fast-spreading fire prompted authorities to issue widespread evacuation orders, while several helicopters participated in firefighting operations.

Officials warned residents of neighboring areas about poor air quality.

The National Weather Service warned of "extreme fire danger with rapid spread," especially in Los Angeles and Ventura counties, in addition to mountainous and hilly areas in San Luis Obispo and Santa Barbara counties.

In parallel, firefighters continued to battle the "Bryson" fire, which broke out overnight on the outskirts of the coastal Malibu area. By Friday afternoon, the fire had consumed 147 acres, with 17% containment.

The U.S. Marine Corps base Camp Pendleton was affected by the "Henderson" fire, which caused highway closures and had consumed about 2,070 acres by Friday.

Power was cut off for tens of thousands of subscribers in Los Angeles County after authorities disconnected some power lines as a precautionary measure to limit the risk of sparks that could be carried by strong winds.

Meteorologists reported that wind speeds ranged between 80 and 110 kilometers per hour in mountainous areas, and between 55 and 90 kilometers per hour in coastal areas and valleys, while temperatures in some areas reached about 38 degrees Celsius.

The weather service warned that the fire risk will continue on Saturday, calling on residents to prepare for the possibility of emergency evacuation orders.