North Fire

Last updated

North Fire
2015 Cajon Pass wildfire (North Fire).jpeg
LocationNear Victorville, San Bernardino County, California
Coordinates 34°20′20″N117°28′41″W / 34.339°N 117.478°W / 34.339; -117.478 Coordinates: 34°20′20″N117°28′41″W / 34.339°N 117.478°W / 34.339; -117.478
Statistics [1] [2]
Date(s)July 17, 2015 (2015-07-17) – July 21, 2015 (2015-07-21)
Burned area4,250 acres (17 km2)
Buildings destroyed
  • 7 homes
  • 16 outbuildings
  • 74 vehicles
Non-fatal injuries3
Map
USA California Southern location map.svg
FireIcon.svg

The North Fire was a wildfire that occurred in the Mojave Desert near the towns of Victorville and Hesperia, north of San Bernardino and south of Bakersfield, California. The fire began on July 17, 2015. The areas most impacted were adjacent to Interstate 15, where the Cajon Pass passes through the San Bernardino National Forest. The fire spread to 4,250 acres, and burned homes and other buildings, as well as numerous vehicles stranded on the interstate. Seventy-four passenger vehicles and trucks were burned along the highway or in neighboring communities due to the fire. [3] The fire closed Interstate 15, the main highway connecting Southern California with Las Vegas, Nevada, during the first day of the blaze. [4]

Contents

One-thousand fire fighters battled the blaze during the height of the fire, which as of the evening of July 17 was five percent contained. [5] Mandatory evacuations were ordered for the towns of Phelan and Baldy Mesa, which were threatened or impacted by the fire. [6] Two-hundred-four people utilized an emergency shelter set up at Serrano High School, in Phelan. [1] The evacuation orders were lifted as crews worked to contain the fire. On the evening of July 18, the fire was reported to be 45% contained, after a rain storm from the remnant moisture of Hurricane Dolores brought cooler temperatures to the chaparral fueled fire. [7] By the following morning, the fire was reported to be 60% contained. [8] On Monday, July 20, the fire was reported to be 75% contained, but had also grown from 3,500 to 4,250 acres. [9] The fire was fully contained on July 21, and fire fighters remained on scene to douse hot spots in the burn area. [3]

The presence of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs/drones) in the area that interfered with fire fighting efforts has renewed discussion of legislation to limit the operation of drones in the United States. In response to the drone activity over active wildfires, San Bernardino County, the California State Legislature and the Congress of the United States have all proposed restrictions on privately owned drones.

Fire fighting complications

Efforts at fire suppression were complicated by the presence of drones (UAVs) in the air space being used by fire-fighting helicopters and airplanes, and by a shooting at the command center.

On Sunday, July 19, aerial suppression of the fire was temporarily halted by the presence of drones flying in the vicinity. Three of the five drones detected in the area left the scene, but the presence of two others interfered with the fire fighting operation. After a delay, the fire fighting operation resumed. [10]

On Monday, July 20, a US Forest Service officer fired his weapon outside the headquarters of the fire fighting effort, located at the fair grounds in Victorville. A man allegedly became "uncooperative" and tried to flee, dragging the officer with his car. The officer fired several rounds into the vehicle, but there were no injuries. [11]

Impact

United States Representative Paul Cook, Republican-Yucca Valley, introduced legislation known as the Wildfire Airspace Protection Act of 2015, (H.R. 3025) one week prior to the North Fire which would make it a federal offense to fly a UAV in a manner that interferes with fire fighters in the vicinity of a wildfire on federal lands. [12] The legislation has garnered renewed interest in the aftermath of the North Fire. [13]

The San Bernardino County Board of Supervisors discussed UAV activity in the county at its meeting on July 28, 2015. Prior to the meeting, Board Chairman James Ramos stated, regarding UAVs in the area of fire fighting operations, "When you are inhibiting the response of the first responders, then you infringe on the safety of the residents of San Bernardino County." [13] At the meeting, the county approved monetary rewards of US$25,000 for each incident for information leading to the arrest of individuals who piloted UAVs over recent wildfires in the county. [14]

Both houses of the California State Legislature have either introduced legislation or otherwise acted regarding UAVs operating over state wildfires. Senate Bill 168 would give immunity to first responders who damage or destroy privately owned UAVs operating over wildfires. And some members of the California House of Representatives are urging the Federal Aviation Administration to consider geo fencing of commercially available UAVs, which could be used by authorities to keep them out of restricted areas. [14]

In October, 2015, the US Federal Aviation Administration announced that UAVs flying within the United States must register their aircraft with the federal government. This new policy will apply to both new vehicles, as well as UAVs already owned and operated. The new policy imposes penalties on UAV owners who do not comply. [15]

Cause

Authorities have not determined the cause of the fire. The first call firefighters received was of a vehicle in flames on Interstate 15. [8]

Related Research Articles

Old Fire

The Old Fire was a large complex wildfire that started on October 21, 2003, near Old Waterman Canyon Road and California State Route 18 in the San Bernardino Mountains, in San Bernardino County, Southern California, United States. The Old Fire caused at least $1.2 billion in damages.

Topanga Fire

The Topanga Fire was a wildfire that ignited on September 28, 2005 in the Santa Susana Mountains, to the northwest of Chatsworth and the San Fernando Valley in Southern California.

2007 California wildfires

The 2007 California wildfire season saw at least 9,093 separate wildfires that charred 1,520,362 acres (6,152.69 km2) of land. Thirty of those wildfires were part of the Fall 2007 California firestorm, which burned approximately 972,147 acres of land from Santa Barbara County to the U.S.–Mexico border. At the peak of the wildfire activity in October 2007, the raging wildfires were visible from space.

Witch Fire California wildfire in 2007

The Witch Creek Fire, also known as the Witch Fire and the Witch Creek-Guejito–Poomacha Complex Fire, was the second-largest wildfire of the 2007 California wildfire season, and the largest one of the October 2007 California wildfires. Although the Witch Creek Fire was individually smaller than the Zaca Fire of 2007, burning 197,990 acres (801 km2) acres alone, after merging with the Poomacha and McCoy Fires, the Witch–Guejito–Poomacha Complex Fire had a total burn area of 247,800 acres (1,003 km2), surpassing the Zaca Fire to become the largest complex fire of 2007. Initially igniting in Witch Creek Canyon, near Santa Ysabel, the Witch Creek Fire rapidly spread westward, fanned by powerful Santa Ana winds, and consumed large portions of San Diego County. On October 25, the Witch Fire merged with the Poomacha Fire to the north, near Palomar Mountain, before also merging with the smaller McCoy Fire on the next day. The Witch–Poomacha Complex Fire was the last fire of the 2007 October wildfires to be extinguished, with the Poomacha Fire being contained on November 13. During its duration, 80–100 feet-high flames were reported by fire officials in the Witch Fire, and the Witch Fire exhibited the characteristics of a firestorm at its height.

2008 California wildfires Wikipedia disambiguation page

The 2008 California wildfire season was one of the most devastating since the turn of the 21st Century. While only 4,923 fires occurred, about half as many as in 2007, the total area burned far exceeded that of previous years. Throughout the year, 1,593,690 acres (6,449.4 km2) of land were burned.

Sayre Fire

The Sayre Fire, also known as the Sylmar Fire, was a November 2008 wildfire that resulted in the loss of 489 residences in Los Angeles, California, United States, the "worst loss of homes due to fire" in the city's history. The fire was first reported at 10:29 p.m. PDT on November 14, 2008, in the Sylmar section of Los Angeles. As of November 20, 2008, the fire was 100% contained, had burned 11,262 acres (46 km2) and destroyed more than 600 structures. The number of homes lost in the Sayre fire exceeded the prior record set in 1961 by the Bel Air Fire which claimed 484 homes. There were no fatalities, just minor injuries to five firefighters and one civilian.

Mountain Fire

The Mountain Fire was a wildfire in July, 2013 in Mountain Center, Riverside County, California, about 100 miles east of Los Angeles. It burned primarily in the San Jacinto Mountains in the San Bernardino National Forest. It started on July 15, 2013 at 1:43 PM near the junction of Highway 243 and Highway 74. It burned for 16 days on steep slopes of timber and chaparral above Palm Springs. Heavy rainfall, up to 1.5 inches (3.8 cm), on July 21 helped bring the blaze under control. It was fully contained on July 30, 2013.

The Poinsettia Fire was the second most destructive of the May 2014 San Diego County wildfires. It caused property damage estimated at $22.5 million, as well as the only reported fatality in the San Diego County series of wildfires. As of July 10, 2014, the cause of the fire is listed as "undetermined", which allows for further investigation if more information comes to light.

May 2014 San Diego County wildfires

The May 2014 San Diego County wildfires were a swarm of 20 wildfires that erupted during May 2014, in San Diego County, California, during severe Santa Ana Wind conditions, historic drought conditions, and a heat wave. The main event during mid-May was preceded by a precursor fire that ignited on May 5. The Bernardo Fire has been declared accidental, and officials believe the Cocos Fire was intentionally set. The causes of the other fires are still under investigation by multiple agencies, and a joint task force was formed to coordinate the investigations and facilitate communications. Six injuries and one fire-related fatality were reported.

Wragg Fire

The Wragg Fire was a wildland fire that started just off California State Route 128 near Lake Berryessa in Napa County, California in the United States. The fire started on July 22, 2015. The cause was an idling vehicle's car exhaust. The vehicle came into contact with dry grass and sparked the fire. Mandatory evacuations for 136 homes and 200 residents took place. Six roads were closed temporarily as a result.

October 2007 California wildfires Series of wildfires that occured in Malibu

The October 2007 California wildfires, also known as the Fall 2007 California firestorm, were a series of about thirty wildfires that began igniting across Southern California on October 20. At least 1,500 homes were destroyed and approximately 972,147 acres of land was burned from Santa Barbara County to the U.S.–Mexico border, surpassing the October 2003 California wildfires in scope, which were estimated to have burned 800,000 acres (3,200 km2). The wildfires killed a total of 14 people, with nine of them dying directly from the fires; 160 others were injured, including at least 124 firefighters. At their height, the raging fires were visible from space. These fires included the vast majority of the largest and deadliest wildfires of the 2007 California wildfire season. The only wildfire in 2007 that surpassed any of the individual October 2007 fires in size was the Zaca Fire.

Blue Cut Fire wildfire in San Bernardino County, California

The Blue Cut Fire was a wildfire in the Cajon Pass, northeastern San Gabriel Mountains, and Mojave Desert in San Bernardino County, California. The fire, which began on the Blue Cut hiking trail in the San Bernardino National Forest, was first reported on August 16, 2016 at 10:36 a.m., just west of Interstate 15. A red flag warning was in effect in the area of the fire, with temperatures near 100 °F (38 °C) and winds gusting up to 30 miles per hour (48 km/h).

2017 California wildfires wildfires in California. USA during 2017

In terms of property damage, 2017 was the most destructive wildfire season on record in California at the time, with a total of 9,133 fires burning 1,381,405 acres (5,590.35 km2) of land, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, including five of the 20 most destructive wildland-urban interface fires in the state's history. Throughout 2017, the fires destroyed or damaged more than 10,000 structures in the state, a higher tally than the previous nine years combined. State data showed that the large wildfires killed 47 people – 45 civilians and 2 firefighters – almost higher than the previous 10 years combined. The total property damage was surpassed by the 2018 California wildfires.

Holcomb Fire

The Holcomb Fire was a wildfire that burned due north of Big Bear Lake near Highway 18 in the San Bernardino National Forest in San Bernardino County, California. Within several days, the fire would consume some 1,500 plus acres as it threatened the areas of Baldwin Lake and Highway 18. However, while the fire rapidly grew in size, the head of the fire was seen to be moving away from structures, thus leaving evacuated areas under voluntary evacuation.

Skirball Fire 2017 wildfire in California, US

The Skirball Fire was a wildfire that burned in the Bel Air neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, United States, and one of multiple wildfires that broke out across Southern California in December 2017. The fire burned 422 acres of land on the slopes of the Sepulveda Pass on its east or Bel Air side, causing the closure of Interstate 405, a major traffic artery in the city. The Skirball Cultural Center, Bel-Air Country Club, Getty Center, Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District, and various private schools were closed as a result of the fire. Classes were cancelled at the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) and Santa Monica College, while Mount Saint Mary's University evacuated from its Brentwood campus to its downtown Los Angeles location. The fire destroyed six structures and damaged 12. On December 10, at about 1 p.m. PST, all evacuation orders and road closures for the Skirball Fire were lifted, as containment of the wildfire increased to 85%. Late on December 15, it was reported that the Skirball Fire had been 100% contained, at 422 acres (171 ha).

Creek Fire fire in California

The Creek Fire was a large wildfire that burned in Kagel Canyon and the Angeles National Forest north of Sylmar, a neighborhood in Los Angeles, California, United States, and one of multiple wildfires that broke out across Southern California in December 2017. The Creek Fire has burned 15,619 acres (63 km2) and destroyed 123 structures, including 60 homes, before being contained on January 9, 2018, following heavy rainfall from a winter storm. The fire threatened the communities of Santa Clarita, Glendale, Olive View, Lake View Terrace, Sunland-Tujunga, Shadow Hills, Sylmar, Pacoima, Lopez Canyon, and Kagel Canyon, as well as the Olive View–UCLA Medical Center. During the wildfire, 115,000 residents were forced to evacuate their homes.

December 2017 Southern California wildfires

A series of 29 wildfires ignited across Southern California in December 2017. Six of the fires became significant wildfires, and led to widespread evacuations and property losses. The wildfires burned over 307,900 acres (1,246 km2), and caused traffic disruptions, school closures, hazardous air conditions, and power outages; over 230,000 people were forced to evacuate. The largest of the wildfires was the Thomas Fire, which grew to 281,893 acres (1,140.78 km2), and became the largest wildfire in modern California history, until it was surpassed by the Ranch Fire in the Mendocino Complex, in the following year.

Lilac Fire 2017 wildfire in San Diego County, California, United States

The Lilac Fire was a fire that burned in northern San Diego County, California, United States, and the second-costliest one of multiple wildfires that erupted in Southern California in December 2017. The fire was first reported on December 7, 2017, burned 4,100 acres (1,659 ha), and destroyed 157 structures, before it was fully contained on December 16. The fire cost at least $8.9 million, including $5 million in firefighting expenses and property damage, and an additional $3.9 million in cleanup and erosion control costs. The fire threatened the communities of Bonsall, Oceanside, Vista, Fallbrook, and Camp Pendleton. During the fire, an estimated 10,000 residents were forced to evacuate, while a total of over 100,000 residents were forced to or advised to evacuate. On December 7, the Lilac Fire also cut the power to 20,000 people.

Saddleridge Fire

The Saddleridge Fire was a wildfire burning near the San Fernando Valley of Los Angeles County, California. It broke out roughly around 9:02pm on Thursday October 10, 2019. It is still undetermined as to how it had started, but believed that the blaze had started beneath a high voltage transmission tower. Reporters and first responders began to assess the fire, the main location at the time of ignition was at the entrance of Interstate 210 and Yarnell Street. Residents were being evacuated, shop owners standing by in hopes their shops were still up, and many of the community helping with evacuating all animals from surrounding farms and ranches. The fire was fully extinguished on Thursday October 31, 2019, 20 days after first igniting. The fire burned 8,799 acres and resulted in 8 injuries and 1 fatality.

References

  1. 1 2 "UPDATE: Containment reaches 60 percent, freeway fully open". Victorville Daily Press. July 19, 2015. Retrieved July 19, 2015.
  2. ↑ "North Fire". CAL FIRE . Retrieved 31 August 2015.
  3. 1 2 "NORTH FIRE: Blaze completely contained". Press Enterprise . July 21, 2015. Retrieved July 21, 2015.
  4. ↑ "Brush Fire Jumps Southern California Freeway, Burning Cars". The New York Times . July 17, 2015. Retrieved July 17, 2015.
  5. ↑ "1,000 firefighters battle blaze that leaps 15 Freeway, burns cars, threatens homes". Los Angeles Times . July 17, 2015. Retrieved July 17, 2015.
  6. ↑ "North Fire: Blaze closes I-15, burns 4 structures and 18 vehicles, forces evacuations". Victorville Daily Press . July 17, 2015. Retrieved July 17, 2015.
  7. ↑ "North fire is 45% contained as unusual summer storm moves through area". Los Angeles Times . July 18, 2015. Retrieved July 18, 2015.
  8. 1 2 "'North Fire' 60 percent contained, evacuations lifted". KESQ-TV . July 19, 2015. Archived from the original on July 22, 2015. Retrieved July 19, 2015.
  9. ↑ "NORTH FIRE: 75 PERCENT CONTAINED, 4,250 ACRES BURNED". ABC News . July 20, 2015. Retrieved July 20, 2015.
  10. ↑ "Drones Hampered Firefighters Battling Blaze That Torched Cars on Calif. Freeway". NBC News . July 19, 2015. Retrieved July 23, 2015.
  11. ↑ "Gunshots fired at North Fire command post under investigation". San Bernardino County Sun . July 21, 2015. Retrieved July 23, 2015.
  12. ↑ "North fire reignites concerns about motorist safety in the Cajon Pass". San Bernardino County Sun . July 25, 2015. Retrieved July 25, 2015.
  13. 1 2 "Cook introduces bill to ban drones". The Alpenhorn News. July 24, 2015. Archived from the original on April 22, 2016. Retrieved July 25, 2015.
  14. 1 2 "Chasing drones away from wildfires". Los Angeles Daily News . July 27, 2015. Retrieved July 28, 2015.
  15. ↑ "Federal regulators to require registration of recreational drones". Washington Post . October 19, 2015. Retrieved October 21, 2015.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.