Firefighters gain ground on Southern California blaze, allowing thousands to return home

SAN JUAN CAPISTRANO, Calif. (AP) — Fire crews in Southern California gained ground Saturday on a wind-driven blaze that charred hills and damaged or destroyed at least six large coastal homes, allowing evacuation orders to be lifted and thousands of people to return home.

The fast-moving Norte Fire sparked the previous day in San Clemente amid hot, strong Santa Ana winds that drove it into San Juan Capistrano, prompting the evacuation of about 16,000 residents.

Hundreds of firefighters deployed to combat the blaze in the hills of Orange County. At one home engulfed in smoke and fire, photos showed them using hoses to try to douse the flames.

Most of the evacuations were lifted Saturday evening, except for one street in San Clemente.

The Norte Fire was one of several in the region hit by the Santa Anas, which blow from the interior and toward the coast.

The strongest winds hit the area Friday afternoon, but conditions of increased fire risk were expected to last through Saturday night, with a heat advisory in effect until 8 p.m. on the coast of Orange and San Diego counties, the National Weather Service said.

The blaze area remained under 1 square mile (2 square kilometers), and Chief TJ McGovern of the Orange County Fire Authority said crews increased containment to 25%.

Resident Ephraim Taylor, grabs a garden hose in an effort to help with a wildfire spreading in his neighborhood, during the Norte Fire on Friday, Oct. 16, 2026, in San Juan Capistrano, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

A roof engulfed in flames is seen during the Norte Fire on Friday, Oct. 16, 2026, in San Juan Capistrano, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

A biker looks over a hillside burned by the Norte Fire from Patriot Hill Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026, in San Juan Capistrano, Calif. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

Firefighters work to douse a fire on house in flames during the Norte Fire on Friday, Oct. 16, 2026, in San Juan Capistrano, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

A firefighters works to put out a fire on a house engulfed in flames during the Norte Fire on Friday, Oct. 16, 2026, in San Juan Capistrano, Calif. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong)

DETROIT (AP) — Lucas Raymond scored the only goal during the shootout and the Detroit Red Wings rallied for a 4-3 victory over the San Jose Sharks on Saturday night.

Alex DeBrincat scored with 1:33 remaining to send the game into overtime. DeBrincat’s team-high fifth goal left him one shy of 300 for his career.

Justin Faulk and Emmitt Finnie also scored for the Red Wings, who have won back-to-back wins for the first time this season. John Gibson stopped 32 shots.

Macklin Celebrini had a goal and two assists to lead the Sharks. Dmitry Orlov and Ivar Stenberg contributed power-play goals, while Alex Nedeljkovic made 25 saves in the second of six consecutive road games for San Jose.

With Gibson pulled for an extra skater, DeBrincat tapped in the puck with 1:33 remaining during a scramble in front of the net. Detroit needed to kill off Andrew Copp's penalty in overtime to force the shootout.

Faulk scored on Detroit's first power play with 7:15 left in the first period, as his shot from just inside the blue line found its way through traffic. Orlov tied it with 2:01 remaining in the period during his team's second power play on a shot from the point.

San Jose took the lead at 4:55 of the second period. Celebrini, who has a team-best 11 points in six games, scored from the slot after William Wallinder's turnover in his own zone.

Stenberg and Finnie traded goals during the first five minutes of the third period.

Sharks: Visit Toronto on Monday night.

Red Wings: Visit Seattle on Tuesday night.

See AP’s full NHL coverage here

Detroit Red Wings goaltender John Gibson, right, stops a shot from San Jose Sharks center Zack Ostapchuk during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Jose Juarez)

San Jose Sharks goaltender Alex Nedeljkovic, right, blocks a shot attempt from Detroit Red Wings left wing Lucas Raymond during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Jose Juarez)

Detroit Red Wings goaltender John Gibson, center, kicks his legs out and makes a save during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Detroit Red Wings, Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Jose Juarez)

San Jose Sharks left wing Igor Chernyshov, right, prepares to pass in front Detroit Red Wings right wing Michael Brandsegg-Nygård during the first period of an NHL hockey game, Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Jose Juarez)

San Jose Sharks defenseman Dmitry Orlov, center left, is congratulated by teammates after scoringh a goal during the first period of an NHL hockey game against the Detroit Red Wings, Saturday, Oct. 17, 2026, in Detroit. (AP Photo/Jose Juarez)