2007 California wildfires: Difference between revisions

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|date=[[2007-10-23]]
|date=[[2007-10-23]]
|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/22/us/22cnd-fire.html?em&ex=1193284800&en=a3c27a7178490ad2&ei=5087%0A
|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/22/us/22cnd-fire.html?em&ex=1193284800&en=a3c27a7178490ad2&ei=5087%0A
|accessdate=2007-10-23}}</ref> The Cedar Fire burned {{convert|280278|acre|sqkm|1}} 2,820 buildings (including 2,232 homes) and killed 15 people, including one firefighter, before being contained on [[November 3]][[2007]]. At the time, the Cedar Fire was considered the largest fire in recorded California history.<ref name=memorial>[http://www.lakesidehistory.org/CedarFire/cedar_fire_memorial.htm ''Cedar Fire & Memorial'', Lakeside Historical Society]</ref><ref>[http://www.fire.ca.gov/cdf/incidents/Cedar%20Fire_120/incident_info.html Cedar Fire-Final Update, State of California website]. Note, some references, such as [http://www.esri.com/news/arcnews/winter0304articles/sandiego-fire.html] report the acreage as 273,246, however this article uses the figure reported by the State of California.</ref>
|accessdate=2007-10-23}}</ref> The Cedar Fire burned {{convert|280278|acre|sqkm|1}} 2,820 buildings (including 2,232 homes) and killed 15 people, including one firefighter, before being contained on [[November 3]][[2003]]. At the time, the Cedar Fire was considered the largest fire in recorded California history.<ref name=memorial>[http://www.lakesidehistory.org/CedarFire/cedar_fire_memorial.htm ''Cedar Fire & Memorial'', Lakeside Historical Society]</ref><ref>[http://www.fire.ca.gov/cdf/incidents/Cedar%20Fire_120/incident_info.html Cedar Fire-Final Update, State of California website]. Note, some references, such as [http://www.esri.com/news/arcnews/winter0304articles/sandiego-fire.html] report the acreage as 273,246, however this article uses the figure reported by the State of California.</ref>


Residents were subjected to a mix of mandatory and voluntary evacuations, depending on their location in the projected path of the fire. Voluntary evacuation areas were typically further from the fire's path, while mandatory evacuation areas faced a more imminent threat. Hundreds of thousands of residents were notified of evacuations via a computerized [[Voice broadcasting|Reverse 911]] phone call system.<ref name="witch roars"/> 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 had exceeded the number evacuated from [[New Orleans, Louisiana]] during [[Effects of Hurricane Katrina on New Orleans|Hurricane Katrina]].<ref>{{cite news
Residents were subjected to a mix of mandatory and voluntary evacuations, depending on their location in the projected path of the fire. Voluntary evacuation areas were typically further from the fire's path, while mandatory evacuation areas faced a more imminent threat. Hundreds of thousands of residents were notified of evacuations via a computerized [[Voice broadcasting|Reverse 911]] phone call system.<ref name="witch roars"/> 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 had exceeded the number evacuated from [[New Orleans, Louisiana]] during [[Effects of Hurricane Katrina on New Orleans|Hurricane Katrina]].<ref>{{cite news

Revision as of 14:03, 26 October 2007

October 2007 Southern California Wildfires
NASA satellite photo from October 24, 2007, showing the active fire zones and smoke plumes.
Date(s)October 20, 2007 – ongoing
LocationSouthern California
Statistics
Burned area500,000 acres (2,000 km2)[1][2]
Land useMixed, residential and wildlands
Impacts
Deaths10[3][1]
Non-fatal injuriesAt least 70[2]
Damage~$1.4 billion

The California wildfires of October 2007 are a series of wildfires that began burning across Southern California on October 20; the massive firestorm prompted the largest evacuation in American peacetime history - four times the number evacuated from Hurricane Katrina.[4] At least 1,500 homes were destroyed[5] and over 270,000 acres of land have burned from Santa Barbara County to the Mexican border.[6]

As of October 24, 18 active fires were burning in the region.[7] Ten people have died[3] and at least 70 others have been injured.[2]

Californian Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger declared a state of emergency in seven California counties where fires were burning.[8] President George W. Bush has declared that an emergency exists in the State of California and has ordered federal aid to supplement state and local response efforts.[9] Over 6,000 firefighters are working to fight the blazes; they are aided by units of the United States Armed Forces[10] and United States National Guard.[11]

The major contributing factors to the extreme fire conditions are the drought in Southern California, the hot weather, and the unusually strong Santa Ana winds.[12] The winds are believed to have knocked down power lines, triggering several of the fires.

One fire is known to be the result of arson;[13] one was started by an overturned semi-truck.[14] The causes of the remaining fires remain under investigation. Authorities predicted wind conditions would not improve until October 252007.[15] Those predictions proved to be correct as wind speeds slowed to the single digits, allowing firefighters to make progress more quickly.[16]

Fires

San Diego County

NOAA hot spot map of San Diego County, October 23.

San Diego County is the location of the two biggest fires (by area burned). The largest, the Witch (Creek) Fire, has burned a massive area north and northeast of San Diego. The second, the Harris Fire, has burned northwest from the Mexican border towards San Diego. Officials have stated that they fear the fires could become even more destructive than the 2003 Cedar Fire.[8] The Cedar Fire burned 280,278 acres (1,134.2 km2) 2,820 buildings (including 2,232 homes) and killed 15 people, including one firefighter, before being contained on November 32003. At the time, the Cedar Fire was considered the largest fire in recorded California history.[17][18]

Residents were subjected to a mix of mandatory and voluntary evacuations, depending on their location in the projected path of the fire. Voluntary evacuation areas were typically further from the fire's path, while mandatory evacuation areas faced a more imminent threat. Hundreds of thousands of residents were notified of evacuations via a computerized Reverse 911 phone call system.[19] Law enforcement officers also notified residents by driving through evacuation areas. On October 242007, San Diego County Sheriff Bill Kolender stated that the number of people evacuated in San Diego county had exceeded the number evacuated from New Orleans, Louisiana during Hurricane Katrina.[20]

Two days into the fires, approximately 500,000 people from at least 346,000 homes were under mandatory orders to evacuate,[21] the largest evacuation in the region's history.[22] Evacuation sites include Qualcomm Stadium,[22] as well as many schools, civic centers, and churches throughout the area.[19] The American Red Cross is managing the evacuation centers.

Officials estimated that 10,000 were gathered at Qualcomm. Volunteers provided food, blankets, water, children's toys, massages, and a live rock band performance for those at the stadium.[23] Nearly all public schools and universities in the San Diego area were closed. Many businesses were closed as well. To ensure clear roads for emergency vehicles, San Diego mayor Jerry Sanders asked residents to stay home and inside.[24]

On October 23 in the late afternoon, some of the evacuations were lifted, which allowed 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.[25][26][27] However, the fires continue and the damage is severe. The four major fires across San Diego County have burned nearly 300,000 acres and destroyed or damaged 1,350 homes and 100 businesses since October 212007.[28]

In addition to the evacuations, many major roads have been 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.[19] On October 242007 the Horno Fire forced the closure of Interstate 5 as well as the Amtrak Surfliner service between Oceanside and San Clemente.[29] Traffic from Interstate 5 was being diverted to Interstate 15, which had reopened.[30]

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

Authorities predicted wind conditions would not improve until October 252007.[15] Those predictions proved to be correct as wind speeds did slow to single digits, allowing firefighters to start making faster progress against the fires.[16]

Data table

Current data on the fires has been provided by the CAL FIRE and independent news media. As of October 25, at 7:46 p.m. PDT, the following fires have burned in San Diego County:[31][32]

Fire name Date / time started Area burned Structures destroyed Injuries Containment
Witch October 21 at 11:00 a.m. 197,990 acres (801 km2) 1061 homes
30 commercial properties
175 outbuildings 		2 deaths[3]
22 firefighters
2 civilians 		30%
Harris October 21 at 9:30 a.m. 84,000 acres (340 km2) 97 homes
2 commercial properties
17 outbuildings
 1 death
12 firefighters
21 civilians 		20%
Coronado Hills October 22 at 1:50 a.m. 250 acres (1.01 km2) 2 outbuildings 100% on Oct. 22
McCoy October 21 300 acres (1.21 km2) 1 residence
1 outbuilding 		100%
Poomacha (Palomar Mountain) October 23 38,500 acres (155.80 km2) 60 homes
19 outbuildings 		12 firefighters 30%
Rice October 22 at 4:16 a.m. 9,000 acres (36.4 km2) 206 homes
2 commercial properties
40 outbuildings 		3 firefighters 40%
Wilcox October 23 100 acres (0.40 km2) 100%
Horno/Ammo October 24 17,000 acres (68.80 km2) 40-50%

Witch Fire

Smoke filled the sky at sunrise October 22.
San Diego skyline against the smoke at sunrise October 232007

The Witch Creek Fire, also known as the Witch Fire, is the largest of the October 2007 wildfires. Hundreds of thousands of residents are being informed of evacuations through the Reverse 911 system.[19] This evacuation comes 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 Ramona, Rancho Bernardo, Poway and Escondido. From there the fire jumped over Interstate 15 and continued west, causing significant damage in Lake Hodges, 4S Ranch, Del Dios and Rancho Santa Fe.

Heavy Santa Ana winds have been pushing the fires west towards the coast.[19] San Diego County Sheriff William B. Kolendar stated that the Witch Creek Fire could be "well in excess of Cedar Fire of 2003".[33] Officials have also said that there exists the possibility that the fire could reach the coastline.[citation needed] While many coastal communities were evacuated as the fire moved west, the shifting winds prevented them from directly threatening those areas.

All residents located south of Del Dios Highway, north of Sorrento Valley Road, west of Interstate 15, and east of Interstate 5 were ordered to evacuate.[19] By 9:30pm 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."[34] 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.[35] Residents of the Barona Indian Reservation have been advised to leave, though the evacuation is not mandatory. The casino on the reservation is closed. At approximately 01:00 on 23 October, fire broke out near the southern end of Wildcat Canyon, 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.[citation needed]

The evacuations of Del Mar, Chula Vista, Poway, Del Mar Heights and Scripps Ranch were lifted for many residents on Tuesday October 23 in the late afternoon.[36][37] At 9:50 p.m. PDT October 232007 the town of Julian, California was ordered to evacuate. Due to the fires, there is no power or phone service in the town.[38]

Evacuation sites include Qualcomm Stadium,[22] Escondido High School, Mission Hills High School (closed), Poway High School (closed), Mira Mesa Senior High School,Del Mar Fairgrounds.[19]

In addition to the evacuations, many major roads have been 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.[19] On October 242007 the Horno Fire forced the closure of Interstate 5 as well as the Amtrak Surfliner service between Oceanside and San Clemente.[29] Traffic from Interstate 5 was being diverted to Interstate 15, which had reopened.[30] There are 1,841 firefighters assigned to the fire.

Harris Fire

Harris Fire burns on Mount Miguel the morning of October 22.
Aerial View of Harris Fire October 23, 12:05 pm.

The Harris Fire is burning in a northwest direction from its starting point at Harris Ranch Road near Potrero. As of October 23 the fire was moving towards eastern Chula Vista.[39] Many communities have been evacuated, with evacuation centers set up at a nearby high school and community center.[40] Thomas James Varshock, 52, of Potrero, died on his property during the Harris Fire on Sunday.[41] The fire may also have caused the deaths of four migrant workers near the Mexican Border. [42]An estimated 1,210 firefighters are battling this fire.[43]

The Harris Fire was also burning in northern Mexico, near the town of Tecate.[44]

Other fires

  • Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton Fires
    • The Wilcox Fire, initially referred to as the "Santa Margarita Fire", began at Santa Margarita/33 Area behind Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton. The fire has grown rapidly, and reports indicate that it has jumped Interstate 5.[45]
    • The Ammo Fire, initially referred to as the "Las Pulgas Fire", was located near the Las Pulgas 43 area near Basilone Road. It is fully contained.[31]
    • The Horno Fire has charred 6,000 acres in Camp Pendleton and by 4:00 a.m PDT October 242007 it caused the closure of Interstate 5. It has also caused Amtrak to stop Surfliner service between Oceanside and San Clemente.[29] Traffic was being diverted to Interstate 15, which had itself been closed earlier.[30] By 8:00 a.m. the same day, southbound lanes had reopened but northbound lanes (closest to Camp Pendleton) were still closed.[46]

  • The McCoy Fire is located near the U.S. Forest Service on Cuyamaca Mountain.
The Palomar Mountain-Agua Tiba 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. It is running parallel to the Rice Fire, has burned south of Highway 76, burned through the Rincon Indian Reservation, jumped I-15 westward in Del Dios area, threatening Mount Palomar Observatory, headed westward from Palomar Mountain. With firefighters concerned that the Rice Fire and Poomacha fire will meet explosively in the Del Dios Canyon, firefighters have been pulled out of the area and residents are under mandatory evacuation.[31] 659 firefighters were assigned to this fire.

  • The Rice Canyon Fire started in the early morning of October 22, in the Rice Canyon near Fallbrook. It initially headed west. Evacuations include Santa Marguerita and Sandy Creek.[31]723 Firefighters are currently assigned to this fire. On the night of October 232007 the fire reversed direction and headed to the East. Fallbrook was re-evacuated as a result.[47]

  • The El Capitan fire was a small fire that burned itself out. At 11:00 p.m. PDT October 232007 the San Diego Union Tribune reported, "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."[48]

Los Angeles and Ventura counties

Data table

Current data on the fires has been provided by the CAL FIRE and independent news media. As of October 25, 2007 at 12:23 p.m. PDT:[31][32]

Fire Name Date / Time Started Area Burned Structures Destroyed Injuries Containment
Buckweed October 21 at 12:55 p.m. 38,356 acres (155.2 km2) 21 homes destroyed, 15 damaged
22 outbuildings
22 vehicles 		3 civilians
1 firefighter 		100%
Canyon October 21 at 4:50 a.m. 4,500 acres (18.2 km2) 6 homes destroyed, 9 damaged
2 businesses destroyed, 2 damaged 		3 85%
Magic October 22 at 2:17 p.m. 2,824 acres (11.4 km2) 100%
Meadowridge October 23 at 12:30 p.m. 40 acres (0.162 km2) 100%
Ranch (Castaic / Piru) October 20 at 9:42 p.m.[49] 55,756 acres (225.6 km2) 1 home
8 outbuildings 		70%
October October 22 at 10:40 p.m. 25 acres (0.1 km2) At least 3 mobile homes damaged 100% on Oct. 23
Nightsky October 21 at 10:35 a.m. 35 acres (0.1 km2) 100%


Santa Clarita, California the night of October 212007

Synopsis

  • The Canyon Fire has burned around Malibu, California, specifically in Malibu Canyon. It was the first of the October California wildfires to receive significant attention from the national media.[51] The fire destroyed two landmarks in Malibu; Castle Kashan and the Presbyterian Church as well as damaging or destroying 14 homes.

  • The Magic Fire started near The Old Road at Magic Mountain Parkway. Flames came within a few yards of West Ranch High School and a large housing development in Stevenson Ranch, but were pushed away. The fire is believed to have been caused accidentally by welders at a construction site.[31]

  • The Meadowridge Fire began near Highway 14 between Santa Clarita and San Fernando. It is currently not threatening any communities.[31]

  • The October Fire burned a small area in Santa Clarita, destroying several homes in the Canyon Breeze Mobile Home Park.[31]

  • The Ranch Fire (or Castaic Fire) is burning along the Los Angeles-Ventura county line,[31] in the Angeles and Los Padres national forests. The fire surrounds the Ventura County community of Piru[51][52] and also threatens the communities of Fillmore, Ventura and Ojai.[31] About 500 residences lie in the fire's path.[31] Evacuations have been recommended in all of Piru and portions of Fillmore.[52] Angeles National Forest officials implemented a total forest closure on October 23.

Two NASA satellite images from October 212007 show how quickly the fires spread. The right image was taken just 3 hours 15 minutes after the left image.

Orange County

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.
File:Santiago fire seen from Mission Viejo October 2007 cropped.jpg
Fires in the distance from Lake Mission Viejo.


  • The Santiago Fire began shortly before 5:55 p.m. on October 21, 2007 in the foothills north of Irvine and east of the city of Orange in Orange County. The fire was reportedly started in three separate spots; fire officials have attributed the source of the fire to arson.[53] As of noon on Thursday, October 25, the fire has burned over 23,000 acres (93.1 km2) and is 30% contained.[31] By evening the reward grew to $250,000. Strong winds have stalled suppression efforts and forced a dozen firefighters to seek emergency shelter under protective tents after the fire charged them.[54] Fourteen homes and eight outbuildings have been destroyed. Twelve buildings have been damaged, and four firefighters had minor injuries as a result of the blaze.[54]

San Bernardino County

Current data on the fires has been provided by the CAL FIRE and independent news media. As of October 25 at 2:12 p.m. PDT, the following fires have burned in San Bernardino County:[31][32]

Data table

Fire Name Date / Time Started Area Burned Structures Destroyed Injuries Containment
Slide (Running Springs) October 22 at 8:02 a.m.[55] 11,600 acres (46.9 km2) 200 homes
3 outbuildings 		10%
Grass Valley October 22 at 5:08 a.m.[56] 1,100 acres (4.5 km2) 100 structures 40%
Martin October 23 at 9:00 a.m. 123 acres (0.5 km2) 1 home damaged 1 firefighter 100%
Walker October 23 160 acres (0.6 km2) 2 firefighters 100% on Oct. 23
Cajon (Devore & Glen Helen) October 22 at 12:15 p.m.[57] 250 acres (1.0 km2) 100%
Little Mountain Fire October 22 at 3:30 p.m. 650 acres (2.6 km2) 100% on Oct. 22

Synopsis

  • The Slide or Green Valley Lake Fire is burning near Green Valley Lake, west of Lake Arrowhead. The Green Valley Lake, Arrow Bear, and Running Springs communities are under evacuation. 1,359 firefighters currently are assigned to this fire. The estimated cost of this fire to date is $1.2 million. Reports indicate water pressure in local systems was lost and conditions were too extreme for fighters to continue efforts in some areas.[31] The fire has burned a camp owned by the Boy Scouts of America's local council, the California Inland Empire Council, called "Camp Helendade." Helendade was originally given to the council in 1960 to replace another camp that had been burned.[58][59][60]

  • The Martin Fire began near Martin Ranch Road at Meyers Road. 77 firefighters are assigned to this incident.

  • The Walker Fire burned northwest of Lake Arrowhead before it was fully contained.

  • Together, the Devore and Glen Helen Fires (or Cajon Fire) were the fires forced the closure of Interstate 15 in the Cajon Pass. One fire was started by an overturned semi-truck.[14] The fire is largely contained and is in "mop up" status.

  • The Little Mountain Fire threatened several homes and other structures near Cal State San Bernardino before it was contained.[32] Due to the cumulative effects of the area fires, the University closed for the week of October 23.[62]

Santa Barbara County

  • The Sedgewick Fire was the northernmost of the October 2007 California wildfires. It ignited around 6:00 a.m. PDT on October 21, 2007 from a downed power line. The fire burned a total of 710 acres (2.9 km2) near Los Olivos. Approximately 2000 people were affected and 800 homes threatened before the fire was 100% contained around 5:00 p.m. on October 22.[63]

Riverside County

  • The Roca Fire was reported around 3:52 p.m. on October 21 in the vicinity of SR-79 South at SR-371 in Aguanga. One home was destroyed and one injury was reported. It was 100% contained on October 22, after burning 270 acres (1.1 km2).[31]

  • The Rosa Fire, three clustered blazes in the Via Santa Rosa/Rancho California Road area of western Temecula began October 22. It was 100% contained by October 24, after burning 411 acres (1.7 km2). Investigators suspect arson.[64]

  • The Wildomar Fire began around 12:30 on October 24 in Wildomar brush, between I-15 and I-215. It was 100% contained within the same day, after burning 20 acres (0.1 km2).[65]

Baja California, Mexico

Fires were also burning in Baja California, Mexico.[66] As of October 222007 the Harris Fire burned near Tecate,[67][68] and fires were burning near Tijuana as well.[69]

Wind and weather

See also: 2007 Western North American heat wave
QuikSCAT image from 2002 showing the speed of the Santa Ana winds (m/s)

The fires are occurring in a very dry area and they are being exacerbated by seasonal winds called the Santa Ana winds. The San Diego Union Tribune reported, "Santa Ana winds blowing up to 60 mph combined with temperatures into the 90s to create in the worst possible fire conditions."[70]

Southern California is in the midst of an unusual drought; in Los Angeles, California, with only 3.21 in (82 mm) of precipitation in the entire 2006-2007 rain season, it is the driest year on record, receiving less rain than Death Valley in a normal year.[71]

The Santa Ana winds are warm, dry winds that characteristically appear in Southern California and Northern Baja California weather during autumn and early winter. Santa Anas are a type of föhn wind, the result of air pressure buildup in the high-altitude Great Basin between the Sierra Nevada and the Rocky Mountains. This high energy wind spills out of the Great Basin and is pulled by gravity into the surrounding lowlands. The air circulates clockwise around the high pressure area bringing winds from the east and northeast to Southern California (the reverse of the westerly winds characteristic of the latitude). The air heats up due to adiabatic heating while being compressed during its descent. While the air has already been dried by orographic lift prior to reaching the Great Basin, the relative humidity of the air declines rapidly as it descends and warms in its final stages as it passes over the Transverse and Peninsular Ranges.

The air is then forced down the mountain slopes out towards the Pacific coast; the air mass is further heated by compression as it drops in altitude before reaching the Los Angeles Basin, western San Diego County and Tijuana (Baja California) at typical speeds of 35 knots. The southern California coastal region gets some of its hottest weather of the year during autumn while Santa Ana winds are blowing. During Santa Ana conditions it is typically hotter along the coast than in the deserts and the humidity plummets to less than 15%.

As the Santa Ana winds are channeled through the mountain passes they can approach hurricane force. The combination of wind, heat, and dryness turns the chaparral into explosive fuel for the infamous wildfires the region is known for. Wildfires fanned by Santa Ana winds burned 721,791 acres (2,921 km²) in two weeks during October 2003.[citation needed]

As of October 22, the high wind conditions were expected to continue to hamper firefighting for three additional days.[15]

At around 12:30 pm, officials believed that some of the fires have began generating their own winds, similar to the Oakland Firestorm of 1991.

A comparison of the Simi Valley skyline from October 21, 2007 (left and center) to October 22 2007 (right)

Impact

Highway 241 closed due to the fires

On October 21, the Harris Fire damaged and disabled the Southwest Power Link, a 500,000-volt power line from Arizona to San Diego.[failed verification][72] 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.[73] The California Independent System Operator Corp, or California ISO, 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 lost power, due to lack of power from the power grid.[72] Authorities say the evacuations, which have displaced more than 900,000 people, are the largest evacuations in the history of California.[74]

File:SDFIRE2007 058brightsharp.jpg
Evacuees at evacuation site Mira Mesa High School

By mid-morning on October 222007, thousands of evacuees were taking shelter in Qualcomm Stadium and other locations throughout San Diego.[22] On the afternoon of October 222007, the Marines were evacuating some planes from Marine Corps Air Station Miramar to other military bases in California and Arizona.[75] The Navy moved all non-essential personnel from Naval Base San Diego barracks onto nearby vessels to accommodate refugees.[11] The San Diego Wild Animal Park moved some animals to the on-site animal hospital for their protection.[19]

The Horno Fire had charred 6,000 acres in Camp Pendleton by 4:00 a.m PDT October 242007. It caused the closure of Interstate 5 and it also caused Amtrak to stop Surfliner service between Oceanside and San Clemente.[29] Traffic was being diverted to Interstate 15, which had itself been closed earlier.[30]

The fires led to instances of opportunistic looting. Six illegal aliens were arrested for stealing supplies from Qualcomm stadium.[76] Another illegal alien was arrested for theft after being found in possession of stolen goods in the Jamul fire area.[77] Two more people were arrested for looting near the Tecate border crossing.[78]

Air quality and health effects

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. Short term exposure (on the order of hours or days) may aggravate conditions for those afflicted by lung or heart disease, or diabetes. Healthy individuals may experience coughing, phlegm, chest tightness, shortness of breath, or irritation of eyes, nose and throat. Children face an increased risk, since their lungs are still developing. Elderly may have undiagnosed lung or heart disease or diabetes, so are also at a higher risk.[79]

For people who must remain outdoors in unhealthy air quality conditions for an extended duration, it's recommended to use at least a respirator that meets the NIOSH N-95 standard. N-95 certified respirators have the capability to filter particulate matter about 0.3 micron, with at least 95% efficiency.[80] General purpose dust masks won't effectively filter such small particles.[81]

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.[82]

Smoke fills the horizon in East San Diego County, October 222007.

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.
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."[7] March Air Reserve Base is the primary staging area for relief supplies as coordinated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.[11]

With many businesses and schools closed, some people used their time off to help others. Officials estimated that 10,000 people were 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 band performance.[23] The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints opened 13 large meetinghouses as temporary shelters and delivered six truckloads of blankets, hygiene kits, cots, food, and other supplies to evacuees in Qualcomm Stadium and other shelters.[83] Local Mormons have also provided thousands of homemade meals and treats for firefighters and evacuees.[84] The Salvation Army is providing food, water and comfort to firefighters, police and others affected by the blaze.[85]

The Department of Defense has contributed twelve engines for firefighting efforts. 1,500 National Guard troops have already been called up, with 17,000 available if needed. 100 California National Guard medical personnel are providing medical assistance.[11] Six crews from the Navy's Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 85 based at Naval Air Station North Island have been assigned to battle the Witch Creek fire. They fly MH-60 Seahawk helicopters equipped with a 420-gallon water bucket and they are the only local Navy teams trained to fight fires from the air. Marine Corps Air Station Miramar has contributed several aircraft as well as fire fighting trucks to operations based in Ramona.[10] The world's largest water bomber, the Martin Mars, arrived from its home in Port Alberni, British Columbia on October 25, landing on Lake Elsinor in California. With a 7,000 gallon capacity, it was sent through a private contract. Two other water bombers and their crews from Quebec have been working the fires, part of an annual three-month contract with the state of California.[86]

California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger declared a state of emergency in seven California counties where fires burned. President George W. Bush declared a federal state of emergency for the seven counties[9] and scheduled a visit to the region on Thursday, October 25, 2007.[87][28]

Rep. Duncan Hunter criticized the Marines for delaying use of their 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 Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger, said the governor "is getting everything he needs from the federal government".[88]

NBC Nightly News reported, with the evacuations reaching about 950,000 people, that this was the largest peacetime movement of Americans since the Civil War era,[89] The state of Texas says that "millions" evacuated during Hurricane Rita.[90]

The Federal Bureau of Investigation and local law enforcement agencies are investigating the causes of the blaze and suspect some were set by arsonists. At least one suspect has been arrested and another has been killed while allegedly trying to flee.[91]

See also

References

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  2. ^ a b c "Bush signs order to speed aid to fire victims". CNN. October 24 2007. Retrieved 2007-10-24. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  3. ^ a b c Elliot Spagat (October 25 2007). "2 burned bodies are found in Calif". Yahoo. Retrieved 2007-10-25. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  4. ^ Emmit Miller (2007-10-25). "Southland Fires spark biggest evacuation in US history". KTLA PRIME NEWS. Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2007-10-25. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  5. ^ Gillian Flaccus (2007-10-24). "1,500 homes lost; $1B loss in San Diego area". Associated Press. Seattle Times. Retrieved 2007-10-24. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  6. ^ Tony Perry, Garrett Therolf and Mitchell Landsberg (2007-10-23). "Massive evacuations ordered as onslaught of fires spreads". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved 2007-10-23. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
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  8. ^ a b Archibold, Randal C. (2007-10-23). "Residents Flee Wildfires in S. California". New York Times. Retrieved 2007-10-23. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help) Cite error: The named reference "NYT1" was defined multiple times with different content (see the help page).
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External links

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