Resources During a Disaster

News & Information

NORTE FIRE- updated 10/17/26 at 6pm

All Evacuation Orders associated with the Norte Fire have been lifted and all shelters are closed.

The latest release includes evacuation zones SCL12, SJC04, SJC05, and the remaining portion of SJC10.  Previously released areas include all of SCL13 and part of SJC10. Via La Mirada will remain closed, north of Esperanza to vehicle traffic, to allow OCFA emergency vehicles to continue work.  The burn scar is an active fire hazard area and is closed until further notice.

With these changes, no Evacuation Orders associated with the Norte Fire remain in effect.

Residents may return, subject to any remaining road closures or access restrictions.

Please use caution when returning to the area. Emergency personnel may continue operating nearby, and certain roads or locations may remain restricted. Follow directions from public safety personnel.

updated 10/17/26 at 12PM

The Evacuation Order associated with the Norte Fire has been lifted for all of evacuation zone SCL13 and a portion of evacuation zone SJC10.

Residents in SJC10 should check the evacuation map to confirm whether their area has been released before returning.

Please use caution when returning to the area. Emergency personnel may continue operating nearby, and certain roads or locations may remain restricted. Follow directions from public safety personnel.

IMPORTANT: Evacuation Orders remain in effect for zones SCL12, SJC04, SJC05, and the portion of SJC10 that has not been released. Residents in these areas should not return until authorized by public safety officials.

Original Message 10/16/26: 

The Norte Fire is currently burning in San Juan Capistrano and San Clemente.

For updated information on the fire, visit OCFA (@OCFireAuthority) / X #NorteFire or call the Public Information Hotline at 714-628-7085.

Evacuation orders have been issued. Use the Public Information Map below to see the evacuation areas and check if your address is in the evacuation zone. 

Care and reception are available from 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM at:

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

Shelter

An overnight shelter will be operational at 8:00 PM at the following location. Animals will be allowed.

• Boys & Girls Club at 1 Via Positiva, San Juan Capistrano

Animals

For San Juan Capistrano Residents:

For residents of San Juan Capistrano under mandatory evacuation orders, OC Animal Care established an emergency animal shelter to provide services for residents relocated as a result of the Norte Fire. This shelter is open to house dogs, cats, and small pets.

The OC Animal Care shelter is located at 1630 Victory Road, Tustin

If possible, pet owners should bring photo identification, veterinary/vaccination records, special food, and medications along with their animals.

Any person needing assistance with information about pets or large animal evacuations should call OC Animal Care at 714-935-6848 from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. or 714-259-1122 from 5 p.m. to 8 a.m.

For San Clemente Residents

For residents of San Clemente, the San Clemente/Dana Point Animal Shelter (CASA) is accepting pets from San Juan Capistrano and San Clemente evacuees. The shelter will remain open for accepting animals until 7 PM and will reopen at 7 AM.

The CASA shelter is located at 221 Avenida Fabricante, San Clemente.

Public Information Map

View Larger Map

Guidance for Returning Home After a Power Outage/Fire 

Health Safety (HCA) safety tips for returning home: 

1. Wait for official updates and confirmation 
   Before returning home, check local utility, emergency management, or government alerts to make sure it is safe to return and that power has been restored. Follow any safety instructions provided. 

2. Personal Protection  

• When returning to areas with recent fire damage or ash, wear appropriate safety equipment when possible. 
• Avoid disturbing or stirring up ash whenever possible  

3. Check Refrigerated and Frozen Food 

• Refrigerators should be at 40°F or below 
• Freezers should be at 0°F or below  
• Food may remain safe: 
• Refrigerator: up to 4 hours without power if kept closed  
• Full freezer: up to 48 hours 
• Half-full freezer: up to 24 hours  
• Throw away perishable foods such as meat, poultry, fish, eggs, milk, cut fruits/vegetables, leftovers if they have been above 40°F for more than a few hours 
• When in doubt, throw it out 
• Learn more: Food Safety During Power Outage | FoodSafety.gov 

4. Check Your Water Supply 

• Run both hot and cold water faucets for at least 3 minutes, or until the water is clear. 
• If running water is unavailable, use bottled water for handwashing.  
• If bottled water is not available, use alcohol-based hand sanitizer. 
• Check for any local water advisories before using tap water: https://www.smwd.com/AlertCenter.aspx?AID=Norte-Fire-15 

Additional Resources/Links:  

CalFIRE: Returning Home Checklist | Ready for Wildfire 

FEMA: Tips for returning home safely after a disaster | FEMA.gov 

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Food Safety: FoodSafety.gov 

Southcoast AQMD: Wildfire Health Information & Smoke Tips 

Red Cross: Cleaning Up After A Fire | American Red Cross 

Airport Fire Debris Flow Planning

Click here to access the Airport Fire Debris Flow resources webpage.

Hi-Lo Siren

Some of the Sheriff's Department's patrol units are now equipped with a new siren feature to alert residents to evacuation orders during emergencies, such as a fire or flood. The system also is equipped with an external PA system that can play recorded messages to notify residents about the need to evacuate.

Our priority during any emergency is your safety, and this new tool will help bolster our response efforts during mass evacuations. Remember: When you hear hi-lo, it's time to go!

Partner Agencies 

• Orange County Public Works
  • Web: OCPublicWorks.Com
  • Twitter: @OCPublicWorks
  • Facebook: @OCPublicWorks
• Orange County Fire Authority
  • Web: OCFA.org
  • Twitter: @OCFireAuthority
  • Facebook: @OCFireAuthority
• Orange County Sheriff's Department
  • Web: OCSheriff.gov
  • Twitter: @OCSheriff
  • Facebook: @OCSheriff
• Orange County Sheriff's Department Emergency Management Division
  • Web: OCGov.com/Emergency
  • Twitter: @OrangeCountyEOC
  • Facebook: @OrangeCountyEOC
• Cleveland National Forest
  • Web: https://www.fs.usda.gov/cleveland
  • Twitter: @ClevelandNF
  • Facebook: @ClevelandNF
• National Weather Service - San Diego Office
  • Web: www.weather.gov/SanDiego
  • Twitter: @NWSSanDiego
  • Facebook: @NWSSanDiego