Evacuation orders issued as wildfire burns in Orange County, California

Wildfires explode in the west as cross-country storms slams NortheastA powerful cross-country storm is bringing heavy rain, strong winds and plunging temperatures to the Northeast, as wildfires scorch Southern California due to strong Santa Ana winds.

Evacuation orders have been issued for parts of Orange County, California, as firefighters work through the night to contain a fast-spreading fire.

There are some 4,600 hundreds and nearly 16,000 people, in the evacuation zone, according to officials with the Orange County Fire Authority.

The Norte Fire ignited midday Friday in San Clemente and has burned at least 465 acres so far, according to fire officials."Due to weather and topography, this fire moved fast," Orange County Fire Authority Fire Chief T.J. McGovern said at a news conference Friday evening, calling the wind "relentless."

The vegetation fire threatened multiple structures, with at least six homes damaged or destroyed so far, officials said. No residents have been injured but two firefighters have been hurt, fire officials said.

"Crews are aggressively attacking the fire from the ground and air. Please continue to avoid the area," the Orange County Fire Authority said.

Several schools in the area were dismissed early on Friday due to the fire "out of an abundance of caution," Capistrano Unified school officials said.The fire comes amid critical fire weather conditions in the region, including strong Santa Ana winds and high heat.

Red flag warnings are in effect for Los Angeles and Ventura counties and the Antelope Valley foothills through Saturday night.This fire is burning about 20 miles north of the Henderson Fire at Camp Pendleton in San Diego County, which has burned 2,079 acres.Some 400 firefighters were working to contain the fire with another 400 en route, officials said.