October 2007 California wildfires

Last updated
October 2007 California wildfires
AERONET La Jolla.2007295.aqua.250m.jpg
NASA satellite photo (provided by NSPO, Taiwan National Space Organization) from October 22, 2007, showing the active fire zones and smoke plumes.
Location Southern California
Statistics
Total fires30 [1]
CostAt least $2.393 billion (2007 USD) [2] [3] [4]
Date(s)October 20, 2007 [5] – November 16, 2007 [6]
Burned area972,147 acres (3,900 km2) [1] [7] [8] [9]
CauseHuman; downed power lines; heat; vehicle fires, etc.
Land useMixed, residential, and wildlands
Buildings destroyed3,143
Deaths17 [8] [10] [4]
Non-fatal injuriesAt least 160 [1] [9]

The October 2007 California wildfires, also known as the Fall 2007 California firestorm, [11] were a series of about thirty wildfires (17 of which became major wildfires) [4] that began igniting across Southern California on October 20. At least 1,500 homes were destroyed [12] and approximately 972,147 acres (about 3,934 km2, or 1,520 mi2) 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). [1] The wildfires killed a total of 14 people, with nine of them dying directly from the fires; [13] 160 others were injured, including at least 124 firefighters. [1] [14] At their height, the raging fires were visible from space. [15] 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. [16]

Contents

California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger declared a state of emergency in seven California counties where fires were burning. [17] President George W. Bush concurred, and ordered federal aid to supplement state and local response efforts. [18] Over 6,000 firefighters worked to fight the blazes; they were aided by units of the United States Armed Forces, [19] United States National Guard, [20] almost 3,000 prisoners convicted of non-violent crimes, [21] and 60 firefighters from the Mexican cities of Tijuana and Tecate. [22] The fires forced approximately 1,000,000 people to evacuate from their homes, becoming the largest evacuation in California's history. [23]

Major contributing factors to the extreme fire conditions were drought in Southern California, hot weather, and unusually strong Santa Ana winds, with gusts reaching 85 mph (140 km/h). [24] California's "fire season," which traditionally runs from June to October, has become a year-round threat, due to a mixture of perennial drought and the increasing number of homes built in canyons and on hillsides, surrounded by brush and forest. [25]

The fires had numerous sources. Several were triggered by power lines damaged by the high winds. [26] [27] One fire[ which? ] started when a semi-truck overturned. [28] Another[ which? ] was suspected to have been deliberately caused; the suspect was shot and killed in flight by state authorities. [29] A 10-year-old boy admitted that he accidentally started the Buckweed Fire by playing with matches. [30] The last active fire, the Harris, was fully extinguished on November 16, 2007, about 27 days after the series of wildfires had begun to ignite. [6] The October 2007 wildfires caused over $2 billion (2007 USD) in insured property damages. [2] [3]

Fires

This is a list of the named fires that ignited as part of the October 2007 California firestorm, beginning in late October 2007. Most of these wildfires were managed by Cal Fire at some point in time. [1]

NameCountyAcresKm2Start DateContained DateNotes
Ranch Los Angeles 58,401236.3October 20, 2007October 30, 200710 structures destroyed
Canyon Los Angeles 4,52118.3October 21, 2007October 27, 20078 structures destroyed
Sedgewick Fire Santa Barbara 7102.9October 21, 2007October 30, 2007
Harris San Diego 90,440366.0October 21, 2007November 5, 2007472 structures destroyed, 1 civilian fatality
October Fire Los Angeles 350.1October 21, 2007October 30, 2007
Nightsky Fire Ventura 200.1October 21, 2007November 1, 2007
Witch San Diego 197,990801.2October 21, 2007November 6, 20071,650 structures destroyed, 2 civilian fatalities
McCoy Fire [nb 1] San Diego 4001.6October 21, 2007October 26, 2007 [31] 1 structure destroyed [7]
Buckweed Los Angeles 38,356155.2October 21, 2007November 1, 200763 structures destroyed
Roca Fire Riverside 2701.1October 21, 2007November 1, 2007
Santiago Orange 28,400114.9October 21, 2007November 9, 200724 structures destroyed
Coronado Hills Fire San Diego 2501.0October 22, 2007October 30, 2007
Little Mountain Fire San Bernardino 6502.6October 22, 2007October 24, 2007
Walker Fire San Bernardino 1600.6October 22, 2007October 30, 2007
Cajon Fire San Bernardino 2501.0October 22, 2007October 30, 2007
Magic Los Angeles 2,82411.4October 22, 2007October 27, 2007
Slide San Bernardino 12,75951.6October 22, 2007October 31, 2007272 structures destroyed
Rice San Diego 9,47238.3October 22, 2007November 1, 2007248 structures destroyed
Grass Valley San Bernardino 1,2475.0October 22, 2007October 29, 2007178 structures destroyed
Rosa Fire Riverside 4111.7October 22, 2007October 31, 2007
San Martin Fire San Bernardino 1230.5October 23, 2007October 30, 2007
Meadowridge Fire Los Angeles 58,401236.3October 23, 2007October 30, 2007
Poomacha [nb 1] San Diego 49,410200.0October 23, 2007November 13, 2007 [4] 217 structures destroyed
Ammo (Horno) Fire San Diego 21,00485.0October 23, 2007October 29, 2007
Wilcox Fire San Diego 1000.4October 23, 2007October 26, 2007
Wildomar Fire Riverside 200.1October 24, 2007October 24, 2007

Notes

  1. 1 2 These wildfires merged into the Witch Fire.

Counties

San Diego County

NOAA hot spot map of San Diego County, October 23, 2007. CAWildFire2007SanDiegoNOAA.png
NOAA hot spot map of San Diego County, October 23, 2007.
Weather radar imagery of the fires on October 23. 2007SanDiegoFiresradar1008z.PNG
Weather radar imagery of the fires on October 23.

Of all the wildfires, the two largest ones were located in San Diego County. The largest, the Witch Creek Fire, burned areas in north and northeast San Diego County. The second largest, the Harris Fire, burned northwest from the U.S–Mexico border towards San Diego. Officials feared that the fires could become even more destructive than the 2003 Cedar Fire [17] that burned 280,278 acres (1,134.2 km2), destroyed 2,820 buildings (including 2,232 homes), and killed 15 people (including one firefighter) before being contained on November 3, 2003. Although individually the fires did not surpass the Cedar Fire, if they had combined as one, they would have. [32] [33]

Residents were subjected to a mix of mandatory and voluntary evacuations, depending on the projected path of a fire. Hundreds of thousands of residents were notified of evacuations via a computerized Reverse 911 phone call system. While this alert system was mostly effective, many residents in Rancho Bernardo received the calls after they had been driven from their homes. [34] On the other hand, in Carmel Valley, only the northern half was officially evacuated, but a computer error mistakenly sent Reverse 911 calls to the southern half as well. Law enforcement officers also notified residents by driving through evacuation areas. On October 24, 2007, San Diego County Sheriff Bill Kolender stated that the number of people evacuated in San Diego county exceeded the number evacuated from New Orleans, Louisiana during Hurricane Katrina. [35]

Two days into the fires, approximately 500,000 people from at least 346,000 homes were under mandatory orders to evacuate, [36] the largest evacuation in the region's history. [37] Evacuation sites included Qualcomm Stadium, [37] as well as many schools, civic centers, and churches throughout the area. [34] The American Red Cross managed the evacuation centers.

Officials estimated that 12,000 gathered at Qualcomm stadium. Volunteers provided food, blankets, water, internet services, children's toys, massages, and a live rock band performance for those at the stadium. [38] Nearly all public schools and universities in the San Diego area were closed. Many businesses closed as well. To ensure clear roads for emergency vehicles, San Diego mayor Jerry Sanders asked residents to stay home and inside. [39]

By October 23, some evacuations were lifted, allowing about 50,000 residents from the cities of Del Mar, Chula Vista, and Poway, and the San Diego neighborhoods of Del Mar Heights and Scripps Ranch to return home. [40] [41] [42] On October 24, more evacuation orders for parts of Rancho Bernardo and other areas further west were lifted. [43] However, the fires continued and damage was severe. The four major fires across San Diego County burned over 368,000 acres (1,490 km2) and destroyed or damaged 1,350 homes and 100 businesses since October 21, 2007. [44]

Many major roads were closed as a result of fires and smoke. On October 22, the California Highway Patrol closed Interstate 15 in both directions between State Routes 78 and 56. [34] On October 24, 2007, the Ammo (Horno) Fire forced the closure of Interstate 5 as well as the Amtrak California Surfliner service between Oceanside and San Clemente. [45] Traffic from Interstate 5 was diverted to Interstate 15, which had reopened. [46]

Officials from the San Diego Wild Animal Park said that its more than 3,500 animals were safe staying in their enclosures where they were protected by the park's fire break and irrigated areas. If the weather conditions worsened, the animals could retreat to their watering holes. However, many critically endangered animals such as the California condor were moved to the park's veterinary hospital, which is fire-resistant and fully equipped with sprinklers. Park spokesperson Yadira Galindo said that the animals were "alert but not showing any concerned behavior."

Fire data was provided by the California Department of Forestry & Fire Protection and independent news media. As of November 2007: [47] the following fires burned in San Diego County: [48] [49]

San Diego County
Fire nameDate / time startedArea burnedStructures destroyedInjuriesContainment Date
Witch (Creek)October 21 at 11:00 a.m.197,990 acres (801 km2)1,125 homes
509 outbuildings
239 vehicles
77 homes damaged
25 outbuildings damaged [50] 		2 deaths
40 firefighters
2 civilians		November 6
HarrisOctober 21 at 9:23 a.m.90,440 acres (366 km2)206 homes
293 outbuildings
253 homes
2 commercial properties
12 homes damaged
3 outbuildings damaged [51] 		5 deaths
40 firefighters
21 civilians
Poomacha (Palomar Mountain/Valley Center)October 23 at 3:13 p.m.50,176 acres (203.06 km2)143 homes
77 outbuildings		21 firefighters
Horno/AmmoOctober 23 at 9:20 p.m.21,084 acres (85.32 km2) (Ammo Fire)
6,000 acres (24.28 km2) (Horno Fire)		6 firefighters
RiceOctober 22 at 4:16 p.m.9,472 acres (38.3 km2)206 homes
2 commercial properties
40 outbuildings		5 firefighters
McCoyOctober 21400 acres (1.62 km2)1 residence
1 outbuilding
Coronado HillsOctober 22 at 1:50 a.m.250 acres (1.01 km2)2 outbuildingsOctober 22
WilcoxOctober 23100 acres (0.40 km2)

Witch Creek Fire

Smoke filling the sky at sunrise, on October 22, 2007. Red Sky at Morning San Diego 22 Oct 2007 v2.jpg
Smoke filling the sky at sunrise, on October 22, 2007.
San Diego skyline against the smoke at sunrise, on October 23, 2007. San Diego skyline against smoke from wildfires Oct 2007.jpg
San Diego skyline against the smoke at sunrise, on October 23, 2007.

The Witch Creek Fire was the largest of the October 2007 wildfires and surpassed the 1970 Laguna Fire as the third-largest fire in California history. Hundreds of thousands of residents were informed of evacuations through the Reverse 911 system. [34] This evacuation came almost four years to the day after the Cedar Fire of 2003.

The fire started in Witch Creek Canyon near Santa Ysabel, and quickly spread to San Diego Country Estates, Ramona, Rancho Bernardo, Poway and Escondido. Locals in the San Pasqual Valley area reported wind gusts of over 100 mph (160 km/h). From there the fire jumped over Interstate 15 and continued west, causing significant damage in Lake Hodges, Del Dios, and Rancho Santa Fe.

Strong Santa Ana winds pushed the fires west towards the coast. [34] San Diego County Sheriff William B. Kolendar stated that the Witch Creek Fire could be "well in excess of the Cedar Fire of 2003". [52] While many coastal communities were evacuated as the fire moved west, the shifting winds prevented it from directly threatening those areas. During the duration of the Witch Fire, fire officials reported 80–100 feet-high flames within the wildfire. [53]

On the morning of October 22, at 5:22 AM PDT, residents located between the Del Dios Highway and State Route 56 were ordered to evacuate. [34] [3] By 9:30 P.M. PDT on October 22, a dispatch from the city of Del Mar's web site stated: "For your safety, we are strongly advising that all Del Mar residents evacuate." [54] Evacuations were also ordered for Scripps Ranch neighborhood, specifically "Everything south of Scripps Poway Parkway, north of MCAS Miramar, east of Interstate 15, and west of Highway 67". The Mesa Grande Indian Reservation was evacuated due to the Witch Fire. [55] Residents of the Barona Indian Reservation were advised to leave, though the evacuation was not mandatory. The casino on the reservation was closed. At approximately 01:00 UTC on October 23 (6:00 PM PDT on October 22), fire broke out near Wildcat Canyon to the south of Barona, where many houses were destroyed and lives lost in the Cedar Fire. Residents of Wildcat Canyon and Muth Valley were ordered to evacuate, and the road was closed. [56] During the late afternoon of October 23, the evacuations for Del Mar, Chula Vista, Poway, Del Mar Heights, and Scripps Ranch were lifted for many residents. [40] [41] At 9:50 P.M. PDT on October 23, 2007, the town of Julian, California was ordered to evacuate. Due to the fires, there was no power or phone service in the town. [57]

Evacuation sites in San Diego County included Qualcomm Stadium, [37] Escondido High School, Mission Hills High School, Poway High School, Mira Mesa Senior High School, and the Del Mar Fairgrounds. [34]

Many major roads were also closed as a result of the fires and smoke. On October 22, the California Highway Patrol closed Interstate 15 in both directions between State Routes 78 and 56. [34] On October 24, 2007, the Ammo (Horno) Fire forced the closure of Interstate 5, as well as the Amtrak California Surfliner service between Oceanside and San Clemente. [45] Traffic from Interstate 5 was being diverted to Interstate 15, which had reopened. [46] 1,841 firefighters were assigned to the fire.

On Wednesday, October 24, 2007, some of the evacuation orders in place for Rancho Bernardo, Rancho Peñasquitos, 4S Ranch, and other areas west of Rancho Bernardo were lifted, after the western part of the Witch Creek Fire had been extinguished. However, the evacuation orders in place for eastern and northern Rancho Bernardo, around Lake Hodges, were still in place. [43] On October 25, more of the evacuation orders for the Witch Fire around Rancho Bernardo were lifted, as the Witch Creek Fire became 45% contained. [58] Late on October 24, after the winds had reversed, the Witch Fire began approaching the nearby Poomacha Fire to the north, which was burning near Palomar Mountain, with firefighters and officials fearing that the two wildfires would soon merge. [59] On October 25, the Witch Fire and the Poomacha Fire merged into one gigantic complex fire, with the two wildfires joining to the south of Palomar Mountain. [4] On October 26, the Witch Fire also merged with the contained McCoy Fire, [31] which had previously burned 400 acres in the Pine Hills area, in eastern San Diego County. [7]

Harris Fire

The Harris Fire burning on Mount San Miguel, on the morning of October 23, 2007 Harris fire Mount Miguel.jpg
The Harris Fire burning on Mount San Miguel, on the morning of October 23, 2007
Aerial view of the Harris Fire on October 23, 2007, 12:05 pm. Aerial View of Harris Fire 10-23-07 1 pm.jpg
Aerial view of the Harris Fire on October 23, 2007, 12:05 pm.

The Harris Fire burned in a northwest direction from its starting point at Harris Ranch Road in the town of Potrero, in the far south of San Diego County, a few miles north of Tecate, Mexico. On October 23, the fire approached eastern Chula Vista. [60]

Many communities were evacuated, with evacuation centers set up at a nearby high school and community center. [61]

Thomas James Varshock, 52, of Potrero, died on his property during the Harris Fire on Sunday. His teenage son suffered burn injuries, along with four firefighters of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, who had attempted to rescue them. [62] The fire may also have caused the deaths of four migrant workers near the U.S.–Mexico border. [63] An estimated 1,210 firefighters battled this fire. [64]

The Harris Fire also burned into northern Mexico, near the town of Tecate. [65]

On November 5, the Harris Fire was 100% contained. [4] However, hotspots continued to burn within the perimeter of the Harris Fire until November 16, when the last hotspot was finally extinguished. [6]

Other fires

The Poomacha Fire: photo taken looking South towards San Diego from Temecula Palomar Mountain-Agua Tiba Fire October 2007.jpg
The Poomacha Fire: photo taken looking South towards San Diego from Temecula

  • The Poomacha Fire (or Mt. Palomar Fire) began as a structure fire on the La Jolla Indian Reservation, then established itself on Palomar Mountain, merged with the Witch Fire on October 25, [4] [69] and entered the Agua Tibia Wilderness. Because of steep terrain, it continued to burn after all other October 2007 fires were put out, before finally reaching full containment on November 13, 2007. [4] [47]

  • The Rice Canyon Fire started in the early morning of October 22, in the Rice Canyon near Fallbrook. It caused massive evacuations and the closure of Interstate 15. [48] [70]

  • The Rice Canyon Fire was caused by downed power lines. [71]

  • On October 23, The San Diego Union-Tribune reported on the El Capitan Fire: "A small brush fire that burned today around El Capitan Reservoir north of Alpine is out, Cal Fire officials said about 9:30 p.m. Officials said the blaze consumed the vegetation near the reservoir and ran out of fuel." [72]

  • The McCoy Fire started on October 21, at the Cleveland National Forest, near the intersection of the Eagle Peak and Boulder Creek roads, west of Rancho Cuyamaca State Park. [4] It burned 400 acres (1.6 km2) and destroyed at least one structure in Pine Hills. [7] Although the McCoy Fire was contained on October 23, the McCoy Fire eventually merged into the still-expanding Witch Creek Fire on October 26, shortly before the smaller fire was fully brought under control. [31]

Los Angeles and Ventura counties

The skyline of Long Beach, California, looking east on the morning of October 24, 2007, with the sky filled with smoke. Long Beach California Wildfires 2007-10-24.jpg
The skyline of Long Beach, California, looking east on the morning of October 24, 2007, with the sky filled with smoke.

Numerous fires burned in Los Angeles and Ventura Counties.

Santa Clarita, California, on the night of October 21, 2007 Wildfire California Santa Clarita.jpg
Santa Clarita, California, on the night of October 21, 2007


Two NASA satellite images from October 21, 2007 show how quickly the fires spread. The right image was taken just 3 hours 15 minutes after the left image. Nasa satellite photo side by side 2007-10-22.jpg
Two NASA satellite images from October 21, 2007 show how quickly the fires spread. The right image was taken just 3 hours 15 minutes after the left image.

Fire data has been provided by the CAL FIRE and independent news media. As of October 2007: [48] [49]

Los Angeles and Ventura counties
Fire NameDate / Time StartedArea BurnedStructures DestroyedInjuriesContainment Date
Ranch (Castaic / Piru)October 20 at 9:42 p.m. [5] 58,401 acres (236.3 km2)1 home
9 outbuildings
BuckweedOctober 21 at 12:55 p.m.38,356 acres (155.2 km2)633 civilians
1 firefighter
CanyonOctober 21 at 4:50 a.m.4,565 acres (18.5 km2)223
MagicOctober 22 at 2:17 p.m.2,824 acres (11.4 km2)
MeadowridgeOctober 23 at 4:08 a.m.40 acres (0.162 km2)
NightskyOctober 21 at 10:35 a.m.35 acres (0.1 km2)
OctoberOctober 21 at 9:47 a.m.25 acres (0.1 km2)At least 3 mobile homes damagedOctober 30

Orange County

The Santiago Fire seen from Aliso Viejo, overlooking the city of Lake Forest, on October 23, 2007 SantiagoFireFromAV.jpg
The Santiago Fire seen from Aliso Viejo, overlooking the city of Lake Forest, on October 23, 2007
Fires burn across a hillside in Orange County. Fires cross a hill in SoCal October 2007.jpg
Fires burn across a hillside in Orange County.

San Bernardino County

Current data on the fires has been provided by the CAL FIRE and independent news media. As of October 30: [47] [48] [49]

San Bernardino County
Fire NameDate / Time StartedArea BurnedStructures DestroyedInjuriesContainment Date
Slide (Running Springs)October 22 at 8:02 a.m. [80] 12,789 acres (51.8 km2)201 homes
3 outbuildings
Grass ValleyOctober 22 at 5:08 p.m. [81] 1,247 acres (5.0 km2)174 homes
2 outbuildings
Martin RanchOctober 23 at 1:03 a.m.123 acres (0.5 km2)1 home damaged1 firefighter
WalkerOctober 22 at 10:00 a.m.160 acres (0.6 km2)2 firefightersOct. 27
Cajon (Devore & Glen Helen)October 22 at 11:48 a.m. [82] 250 acres (1.0 km2)
Little Mountain FireOctober 22 at 3:30 p.m.650 acres (2.6 km2)October 22

Santa Barbara County

Riverside County

Baja California

Fires also burned in northern parts of the Mexican state of Baja California. [91] The Harris Fire burned near Tecate, [65] [92] and fires burned near Tijuana as well. [93]

More than fifteen thousand hectares were consumed by the wildfires in Baja California. Tijuana, Tecate and Ensenada were the municipalities more affected by the fire. In total there were seven fires caused by Santa Ana winds. The community of Maneadero, in the highlands of Ensenada, was the most affected. [94]

Wind and weather

QuikSCAT image from 2002 showing the speed of the Santa Ana winds (m/s) SantaAnaWinds QuikSCAT 2002feb.jpg
QuikSCAT image from 2002 showing the speed of the Santa Ana winds (m/s)

The fires occurred at the end of a dry summer and were exacerbated by the seasonal Santa Ana winds, which were blowing at an unusually high strength at that time. The San Diego Union-Tribune reported, "Santa Ana winds blowing up to 60 mph (97 km/h) combined with temperatures into the 90s to create in the worst possible fire conditions." [95] At one point swirling winds threatened to bring fire into densely populated urban areas. [25] At the height of the Santa Ana winds on October 22, the winds reached sustained speeds of 90 mph (140 km/h), with wind gusts up to 112 mph (180 km/h) reported. [4]

Southern California was in the midst of an unusual drought; in Los Angeles, California, with only 3.21 in (82 mm) of precipitation in 2006–2007, it was the driest year on record. [96] The combination of wind, heat, and dryness turned the chaparral into fire fuel. Officials believed that some of the fires generated their own winds, similar to the Oakland firestorm of 1991. The effects of the smoke were felt as far away as Brentwood, California (in the East Bay, near Stockton), where it impacted local weather. The high-speed Santa Ana winds also rendered the use of dropping water from fire fighting aircraft inefficient; until such winds abate, most payloads of water are just dispersed by the wind over an area so large that the water evaporates before it can reach a large fire on the ground.

A comparison of the Simi Valley skyline from October 21, 2007 (left and center) to October 22, 2007 (right) Oct 21-22 2007 Skyline Comparison.JPG
A comparison of the Simi Valley skyline from October 21, 2007 (left and center) to October 22, 2007 (right)

Impact

Evacuees at evacuation site Mira Mesa High School Mira Mesa Senior High as an evacuation site during the 2007 Witch Creek Fire (brighter).jpg
Evacuees at evacuation site Mira Mesa High School
The remains of a home destroyed by the Witch Creek Fire Firehome3.jpg
The remains of a home destroyed by the Witch Creek Fire

On October 21, the Harris Fire damaged and disabled the Southwest Power Link, a 500,000-volt power line from Arizona to San Diego. [97] Power outages were reported in Los Angeles, Orange, San Diego, and other counties on October 22 to 333,500 Southern California Edison customers, most being restored within 24 hours. The power outage also affected the areas of Ojai, Oxnard, Simi Valley, Santa Clarita, Thousand Oaks, Agoura Hills, Rialto, Fontana, San Bernardino, Rancho Cucamonga, Mira Loma, Hesperia, Corona, Bloomington, Irvine, Calimesa and Rubidoux. This outage also caused 230 people to be without power in Malibu. [98] The California Independent System Operator Corp declared an energy transmission emergency in southern California on October 23, due to wildfires affecting the lines. 500,000-, 230,000- and 138,000-volt lines were disabled in San Diego, and some lines in other areas were also disabled. 24,992 people lost power, due to the lack of power from the power grid. [97] During the crisis, Mexico provided power to help augment the electrical needs of the San Diego area. [99]

Authorities said that the evacuation, of more than 900,000 people, was the largest in the history of California. [100] By mid-morning on October 22, 2007, thousands of evacuees had taken shelter in Qualcomm Stadium and other locations throughout San Diego. [37] On the afternoon of October 22, 2007, the Marines evacuated some planes from Marine Corps Air Station Miramar to other military bases in California and Arizona. [101] The Navy moved all non-essential personnel from Naval Base San Diego barracks onto nearby vessels to accommodate refugees. [20] The San Diego Wild Animal Park moved some animals to the on-site animal hospital for their protection. [34]

The Horno Fire had charred 6,000 acres (24 km2) in Camp Pendleton by 4:00 A.M PDT, on October 24, 2007. It caused the closure of Interstate 5 and it also caused Amtrak California to stop Surfliner service between Oceanside and San Clemente. [45] Traffic was diverted to Interstate 15, which had itself been closed earlier. [46] Illegal migrant workers were endangered by the crisis, sometimes staying at work in the fields in mandatory evacuation zones. Many lived in nearby canyons and distrusted officials. [102] When fleeing the fires, some were arrested, while others were turned away from shelters due to lack of adequate identification. [103] Some Mexican firefighters expressed concern about their countrymen, while others felt the migrant workers were aware of the risks they were taking. [104]

Only a few cases of looting were documented. Six people were arrested for stealing supplies from Qualcomm stadium, [105] another was arrested for theft after being found in possession of stolen goods in the Jamul fire area, [106] and two were arrested near the Tecate border crossing. [107]

Air quality and effects on health

The concentration of particulate matter 10 micrometers and smaller (designated PM10) reached unhealthy levels as a result of the fires. PM10 particles are small enough to enter deep into the lungs, and possibly the bloodstream. San Diego city attorney Michael Aguirre, citing concerns over weather conditions and air quality, urged the city to consider a voluntary evacuation of the entire city. [108]

Wildfires in Eastern San Diego East County 2007.jpg
Smoke fills the horizon in East San Diego County, October 22, 2007.

Response

At Naval Air Station North Island, a plane captain launches an MH-60S Seahawk from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 85 to conduct operations in support of the California Department of Forestry's efforts in combating the San Diego wildfires. H-60S Seahawk from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 85.jpg
At Naval Air Station North Island, a plane captain launches an MH-60S Seahawk from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 85 to conduct operations in support of the California Department of Forestry's efforts in combating the San Diego wildfires.
Firefighters battle a blaze near Irvine, California. Firefighters battle a blaze SoCal October 2007.jpg
Firefighters battle a blaze near Irvine, California.

Government agencies and volunteers worked together to mitigate the effects of the fires. According to the state of California's Consolidated Response web page, "There are 17 active fires in Southern California. The priority for fighting fires as of 19:30 on October 21 is the Buckweed, Witch, Harris, Canyon, Ranch, Santiago, and Sedgewick Fires." [109] March Air Reserve Base was the primary staging area for relief supplies coordinated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency. [20]

With many businesses and schools closed, some people used their time off to help others. An estimated 10,000 evacuees gathered at Qualcomm Stadium, the largest shelter point in San Diego. Besides food, blankets and water, volunteers provided toys for children, massages, and a live rock and roll performance. [38] CERT teams, in various cities, received their first activation since the program's inception in this region. Trained volunteers provided assistance ranging from coordinating relief, to acting as a fire department auxiliary. [110] [111] Religious groups such as Victim Relief Ministries, Giving Children Hope, Hope Force International, Apostolic World Relief, and the Salvation Army opened places of worship, donated supplies, and fed workers and evacuees. [112] [113]

The Department of Defense contributed twelve engines for firefighting efforts. The National Guard called more than 2,400 troops, [114] with 17,000 available if needed; of which 100 California National Guard medical personnel provided medical assistance. [20] Six crews from the Navy's Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 85 based at Naval Air Station North Island were assigned to battle the Witch Creek fire. They flew MH-60 Seahawk helicopters equipped with a 420-gallon water bucket and they were the only local Navy teams trained to fight fires from the air. Marine Corps Air Station Miramar contributed several aircraft as well as fire fighting trucks to operations based in Ramona. [19] One of the larger airtankers, the Martin Mars, sent through a private contract from its home in Port Alberni, British Columbia on October 25, landed on Lake Elsinore in Riverside County, California. It has a 7,000 gallon capacity. Two other airtankers and their crews from Quebec worked on the fires, part of an annual three-month contract with the state of California. [115]

California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger declared a state of emergency in seven California counties where fires burned. President George W. Bush concurred [18] and visited the region on Thursday, October 25, 2007. [44] [116]

Rep. Duncan Hunter criticized state fire officials for delaying the use of Marine helicopters until CalFire spotters were in position to coordinate their efforts. However, California Fire Marshal Kate Dargan said that the Marines and officials at CalFire were following procedures worked out with the military after serious problems with air coordination during the 2003 California wildfires. Other state officials also praised the federal response. Aaron McLear, a spokesman for Schwarzenegger, said the governor "is getting everything he needs from the federal government". [117]

NBC Nightly News reported that with the evacuations reaching about 950,000 people, this was the largest peacetime movement of Americans since the Civil War era, [118] although similar evacuation figures were cited for Hurricane Rita [119] and Hurricane Katrina. [120]

On November 6, 2007, the state of California reported that the fires were under control. On November 9, the last vole of wildfires were finally contained. According to the state's consolidated report on the fires, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger "called on the Blue Ribbon Task Force to assess the next steps to take at federal, state and local levels of government to prevent and fight future fires. Additionally, the Governor asked the task force to review the Governor’s Blue Ribbon Fire Commission’s recommendations, generated after the 2003 fires, to evaluate if the recommendations are still the best and most effective ways in preventing and fighting fires." [121]

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cedar Fire</span> California wildfire in 2003

The Cedar Fire was a massive, highly-destructive wildfire, which burned 273,246 acres (1,106 km2) of land in San Diego County, California, during October and November 2003. The fire's rapid growth was driven by the Santa Ana wind, causing the fire to spread at a rate of 3,600 acres (15 km2) per hour. By the time the fire was fully contained on November 4, it had destroyed 2,820 buildings and killed 15 people, including one firefighter. Hotspots continued to burn within the Cedar Fire's perimeter until December 5, 2003, when the fire was fully brought under control.

The Laguna Fire, also known as the Kitchen Creek Fire or the Boulder Oaks Fire, was a 175,425-acre (70,992 ha) wildfire that burned from September 22 to October 4, 1970, in the Laguna Mountains and East County region of San Diego County in Southern California. It was one of many wildfires in a massive conflagration that spanned across the state from September 22 to October 4, 1970. At the time, it was the second-largest fire in the recorded history of California after the 1932 Matilija Fire.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Zaca Fire</span> 2007 wildfire that burnt in the Los Padres National Forest

The Zaca Fire was a wildfire that began burning in the San Rafael Mountains, northeast of the Santa Ynez Valley in Santa Barbara County, California. It was also the single largest wildfire of the 2007 California wildfire season. The fire started on July 4, 2007, and by August 31, it had burned over 240,207 acres (972.083 km2), making it California's second largest fire in recorded history at that time after the Cedar Fire of 2003. As of 2023, it is California's 12th-largest recorded fire in modern history. The fire was contained on September 4, 2007, with the fire being brought under control on October 29, 2007.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Harris Fire</span> 2007 wildfire in San Diego, California, United States

The Harris Fire was a major wildfire in southern San Diego County that began on October 21, 2007, which burned 90,440 acres (366.0 km2) in southeastern San Diego County before it was contained on November 5. Hotspots persisted until the fire was extinguished on November 16, making the Harris Fire the last of the October 2007 California wildfires to be extinguished. As the Harris Fire burned, it traveled in a northwest direction from its starting point at Harris Ranch Road in the town of Potrero, located in the far south of San Diego County, near Tecate, Mexico. The wildfire was the second-largest one of the October 2007 California wildfires, behind only the Witch Fire. The cause of the Harris Fire is unknown. The Harris Fire was the deadliest one of the October 2007 wildfires, killing eight people.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2007 California wildfires</span>

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Witch Fire</span> 2007 wildfire in California, United States

The Witch Creek Fire, also known as the Witch Fire, was the second-largest wildfire of the 2007 California wildfire season, burning 197,990 acres (801 km2) of land in San Diego County. Fanned by powerful Santa Ana winds, the Witch Creek Fire rapidly spread westward and consumed large portions of San Diego County. During its duration, flames reached 80 to 100 feet high, and the Witch Fire exhibited the characteristics of a firestorm at its height.

The Rice Fire was a wildfire that burned from October 22, 2007 until November 1, 2007, in Fallbrook, California. While not one of the largest fires of the 2007 California wildfire season, only burning 9,472 acres (38 km2), it was one of the most destructive, with 248 structures being destroyed.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Santiago Fire</span> 2007 arson wildfire in eastern Orange County, California, US

The Santiago Fire was a wildfire located near Santiago Canyon in Orange County, California, U.S., and one of thirty California wildfires of October 2007. The fire was intentionally started.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2009 California wildfires</span>

The 2009 California wildfires were a series of 9,159 wildfires that were active in the US state of California, during the year 2009. The fires burned more than 422,147 acres of land from early February through late November, due to Red Flag conditions, destroying hundreds of structures, injuring 134 people, and killing four. The wildfires also caused at least US$134.48 million in damage. Although the fires burned many different regions of California in August, the month was especially notable for several very large fires which burned in Southern California, despite being outside of the normal fire season for that region.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2014 California wildfires</span>

2014 saw several notable wildfires igniting in California, especially during the month of May, when multiple fires were ablaze concurrently in Southern California, and during September, when several massive wildfires were burning in Northern California. In the context of the 2012–13 North American drought, as well as powerful Santa Ana winds, weather conditions were ideal for wildfires. A total of 7,865 wildfires ignited throughout the year, which burned at least 625,540 acres (2,531.5 km2) of land. The wildfires caused a total of 146 injuries and 2 fatalities, in addition to causing at least $204.05 million in damage.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">May 2014 San Diego County wildfires</span> Series of drought-induced conflagrations in California, United States

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2005 California wildfires</span>

The 2005 California wildfires were a series of wildfires that were active in the state of California during the year 2005. In total, 7,162 fires burned 222,538 acres (900.58 km2) of land.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2016 California wildfires</span> An overview of major wildfires in California during the year 2016

In 2016, a total of 7,349 fires had burned an area 669,534 acres (2,709.51 km2) in California, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Border Fire</span> 2016 California wildfire

The Border Fire was a large wildfire that burned in Potrero, San Diego County, California, as part of the 2016 California wildfire season. The fire was so named due to its proximity to the United States-Mexican border.

The Labor Day brush fire was a small brush fire that burned parts of Rancho Peñasquitos and Black Mountain Open Space Park in September 2005, during the 2005 California wildfire season. Despite its small size, the brush fire was the worst wildfire to affect San Diego City in two years, since the Cedar Fire of 2003. The wildfire resulted in 6 injuries, but did not result in structural damages. The brush fire was determined to have been started by a teenage boy, who was subsequently arrested.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Creek Fire (2017)</span> 2017 wildfire in Southern California, United States

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 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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rye Fire</span> 2017 California wildfire that burned in the city of Santa Clarita

The Rye Fire was a wildfire that burned in Santa Clarita, California, in the United States, and one of multiple wildfires that broke out across Southern California in December 2017. The fire threatened over 5,000 structures, including Six Flags Magic Mountain, threatened the city of Santa Clarita and impacted traffic on Interstate 5. The Rye Fire burned a total of 6,049 acres (24.48 km2), before it was fully contained on December 12. The fire destroyed six buildings, including minor structures located at the Peter J. Pitchess Detention Center.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">December 2017 Southern California wildfires</span> 2017 wildfires in Southern California

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Lilac Fire</span>

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.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Border 32 Fire (2022)</span> 2022 wildfire burning near Dulzura, CA

The Border 32 Fire was a destructive wildfire that burned amid the 2022 California wildfire season, in the Barrett Junction area along Highway 94 due north of the United States-Mexican border in San Diego County, California during a statewide heatwave. The fire started on August 31, 2022, and proceeded to destroy ten structures and eventually grow to 4,456 acres (1,803 ha) within the rugged chaparral-dense hillsides throughout the area.

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