2007 California wildfires

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Template:Use American English Template:Use mdy datesTemplate:Short description Script error: No such module "Infobox".Template:Template otherScript error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". At least 9,093 separate wildfires charred Script error: No such module "convert". of land in the US state of California in 2007.[1] Thirty of those wildfires were part of the Fall 2007 California firestorm,[2] which burned approximately 972,147 acres (about 3,934 km2, or 1,520 mi2) of land from Santa Barbara County to the U.S.–Mexico border.[3] At the peak of the wildfire activity in October 2007, the raging wildfires were visible from space.[4]

The wildfires killed a total of 17 people, with nine of them dying directly from the fires;[5][2] 203 others were injured, including at least 124 firefighters.[3][6]

California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger declared a state of emergency in seven California counties where fires were burning.[7] President George W. Bush concurred, and ordered federal aid to supplement state and local response efforts.[8] Over 6,000 firefighters worked to fight the blazes; they were aided by units of the United States Armed Forces,[9] United States National Guard,[10] almost 3,000 prisoners convicted of non-violent crimes,[11] and 60 firefighters from the Mexican cities of Tijuana and Tecate.[12] The fires forced approximately 1,000,000 people to evacuate from their homes, becoming the largest evacuation in California's history.[13]

Major contributing factors to the extreme fire conditions were drought in Southern California, hot weather, and the unusually strong Santa Ana winds, with gusts reaching 112 mph (180 km/h).[2][14] 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.[15]

The fires had numerous sources. Several were triggered by power lines damaged by the high winds.[16][17] One fire started when a semi-truck overturned.[18] Another was suspected as having been deliberately caused; the suspect was shot and killed in flight by state authorities.[19] A 10-year-old boy admitted that he accidentally started the Buckweed Fire by playing with matches.[20] The causes of the remaining fires remain under investigation. The last active fire of the October 2007 fires, the Harris Fire, was fully extinguished on November 16, 2007, about 27 days after the series of wildfires had begun to ignite.[21][22] The October 2007 wildfires collectively caused over $2 billion in property damages.[23][24]

During the season, the National Interagency Fire Center reported that two firefighters were killed. One died in a helicopter crash, and the second was killed in a bulldozer rollover.[25]

Fires

Below is a list of all fires that exceeded Script error: No such module "convert". during the 2007 fire season.[26] The list is taken from CAL FIRE's list of large fires.

Name County Acres Km2 Start Date Contained Date Notes
241 Orange Script error: No such module "convert". March 11, 2007 March 13, 2007 2 structures destroyed
Sierra Riverside Script error: No such module "convert". March 11, 2007 March 12, 2007
Las Flores San Bernardino Script error: No such module "convert". March 31, 2007 April 1, 2007 1 structure destroyed
Golden Inyo Script error: No such module "convert". April 14, 2007 April 15, 2007
James Kern Script error: No such module "convert". April 29, 2007 May 5, 2007
Island Los Angeles Script error: No such module "convert". May 10, 2007 May 15, 2007 6 structures destroyed
Gorman Los Angeles Script error: No such module "convert". May 19, 2007 May 22, 2007
Shannon Tulare Script error: No such module "convert". June 3, 2007 June 4, 2007
Goldledge Tulare Script error: No such module "convert". June 3, 2007 June 28, 2007
Inkopah Imperial Script error: No such module "convert". June 5, 2007 June 6, 2007
Angora El Dorado Script error: No such module "convert". June 24, 2007 July 2, 2007 309 structures destroyed; cost at least $152.7 million in property damage and fire suppression
White Kern Script error: No such module "convert". June 24, 2007 July 3, 2007 31 structures destroyed
Mission Monterey Script error: No such module "convert". June 28, 2007 June 28, 2007
Zaca Santa Barbara Script error: No such module "convert". July 4, 2007 September 4, 2007 1 structure destroyed
Antelope Complex Plumas Script error: No such module "convert". July 5, 2007 July 13, 2007 2 structures destroyed
Inyo Complex Inyo Script error: No such module "convert". July 6, 2007 July 16, 2007 33 structures destroyed
Rock 2 Tulare Script error: No such module "convert". July 6, 2007 July 7, 2007
Fletcher Modoc Script error: No such module "convert". July 10, 2007 July 19, 2007 11 structures destroyed
Elk Complex Siskiyou Script error: No such module "convert". July 10, 2007 September 15, 2007 1 firefighter fatality
China-Back Complex Siskiyou Script error: No such module "convert". July 13, 2007 July 21, 2007
Bangor Butte Script error: No such module "convert". August 7, 2007 August 7, 2007
Tar Kings Script error: No such module "convert". August 10, 2007 August 19, 2007
Grouse Tulare Script error: No such module "convert". August 27, 2007 September 8, 2007
Wallow Trinity Script error: No such module "convert". August 29, 2007 September 3, 2007
North Los Angeles Script error: No such module "convert". September 2, 2007 September 8, 2007
Lick Santa Clara Script error: No such module "convert". September 3, 2007 September 11, 2007 24 structures destroyed
Moonlight Plumas Script error: No such module "convert". September 3, 2007 September 15, 2007 21 structures destroyed
Pine San Diego Script error: No such module "convert". September 12, 2007 September 16, 2007
Butler 2 San Bernardino Script error: No such module "convert". September 14, 2007 October 1, 2007 3 structures destroyed
Ranch Los Angeles Script error: No such module "convert". October 20, 2007 October 30, 2007 10 structures destroyed
Canyon Los Angeles Script error: No such module "convert". October 21, 2007 October 27, 2007 8 structures destroyed
Sedgewick Fire Santa Barbara Script error: No such module "convert". October 21, 2007 October 30, 2007
Harris San Diego Script error: No such module "convert". October 21, 2007 November 5, 2007 472 structures destroyed, 1 civilian fatality
Witch San Diego Script error: No such module "convert". October 21, 2007 November 6, 2007 1,650 structures destroyed, 2 civilian fatalities
McCoy Fire[nb 1] San Diego Script error: No such module "convert". October 21, 2007 October 26, 2007[27] 1 structure destroyed[28]
Buckweed Los Angeles Script error: No such module "convert". October 21, 2007 November 1, 2007 63 structures destroyed
Santiago Orange Script error: No such module "convert". October 21, 2007 November 9, 2007 24 structures destroyed
Little Mountain Fire San Bernardino Script error: No such module "convert". October 22, 2007 October 24, 2007
Magic Los Angeles Script error: No such module "convert". October 22, 2007 October 27, 2007
Slide San Bernardino Script error: No such module "convert". October 22, 2007 October 31, 2007 272 structures destroyed
Rice San Diego Script error: No such module "convert". October 22, 2007 November 1, 2007 248 structures destroyed
Grass Valley San Bernardino Script error: No such module "convert". October 22, 2007 October 29, 2007 178 structures destroyed
Meadowridge Fire Los Angeles Script error: No such module "convert". October 23, 2007 October 30, 2007
Poomacha[nb 1] San Diego Script error: No such module "convert". October 23, 2007 November 13, 2007[2] 217 structures destroyed
Ammo (Horno) Fire San Diego Script error: No such module "convert". October 23, 2007 October 29, 2007
Jack Mariposa Script error: No such module "convert". October 29, 2007 December 15, 2007
Corral Los Angeles Script error: No such module "convert". November 24, 2007 November 27, 2007 86 structures destroyed

Notes

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  1. ↑ a b These wildfires merged into the Witch Fire.

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October 2007 wildfires

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Wind and weather

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

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The October 2007 fires occurred following an extremely dry previous winter: in Los Angeles, with only Script error: No such module "convert". of rainfall between July 2006 and June 2007, it was the driest “rain year” on record by Script error: No such module "convert"..[29] The record drought was exacerbated by the seasonal Santa Ana winds, blowing at an abnormally high strength. This 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 in the East Bay, near Stockton, where it impacted local weather. 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.

The San Diego Union-Tribune reported,<templatestyles src="Template:Blockquote/styles.css" />

Santa Ana winds blowing up to Script error: No such module "convert". combined with temperatures into the 90s to create in the worst possible fire conditions.[30]

Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". At one point, swirling winds threatened to bring fire into densely populated urban areas.[15] At the height of the Santa Ana winds on October 22, sustained wind speeds reached Script error: No such module "convert"., with wind gusts up to Script error: No such module "convert". reported.[2]

File: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

File:Mira Mesa Senior High as an evacuation site during the 2007 Witch Creek Fire (brighter).jpg
Evacuees at evacuation site Mira Mesa High School
File: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.[31] 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.[32] 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.[31] During the crisis, Mexico provided power to help augment the electrical needs of the San Diego area.[33]

Authorities have stated that the evacuations, which displaced more than 900,000 people, have been the largest evacuation number in the history of California.[34] By mid-morning on October 22, 2007, thousands of evacuees were taking shelter in Qualcomm Stadium and other locations throughout San Diego.[35] 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.[36] The Navy moved all non-essential personnel from Naval Base San Diego barracks onto nearby vessels to accommodate refugees.[10] The San Diego Wild Animal Park moved some animals to the on-site animal hospital for their protection.[37]

The Horno Fire had charred Script error: No such module "convert". 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 Pacific Surfliner service between Oceanside and San Clemente.[38] Traffic was being diverted to Interstate 15, which had itself been closed earlier.[39] Illegal migrant workers were endangered by the crisis, sometimes staying at work in the fields within mandatory evacuation zones. Many had lived in the canyons nearby and distrusted officials.[40] When fleeing the fires, some were arrested, while others were turned away from shelters due to lack of adequate identification.[41] Some Mexican firefighters expressed concern about their countrymen, while others felt the migrant workers were aware of the risks they were taking.[42]

Only a few cases of looting were documented. Six people were arrested for stealing supplies from Qualcomm stadium,[43] another was arrested for theft after being found in possession of stolen goods in the Jamul fire area,[44] and two were arrested near the Tecate border crossing.[45]

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.[46]

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Response

File: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.
File: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 were the Buckweed, Witch, Harris, Canyon, Ranch, Santiago, and Sedgewick Fires."[47] March Air Reserve Base is the primary staging area for relief supplies as coordinated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.[10]

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.[48] 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.[49][50] Religious groups such as Victim Relief Ministries, Giving Children Hope, Hope Force International, Apostolic World Relief, and the Salvation Army responded by opening places of worship, donating supplies, and feeding workers and evacuees.[51][52]

The Department of Defense contributed twelve engines for firefighting efforts. The National Guard called more than 2,400 troops,[53] with 17,000 available if needed; of which 100 California National Guard medical personnel provided medical assistance.[10] 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.[9] One of the larger airtankers, the Martin Mars, sent through a private contract from its home in Port Alberni, British Columbia on October 25, landing 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.[54]

California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger declared a state of emergency in seven California counties where fires burned. President George W. Bush concurred[8] and visited the region on Thursday, October 25, 2007.[55][56]

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".[57]

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,[58] although similar evacuation figures were cited for Hurricane Rita[59] and Hurricane Katrina.[60]

File:US Navy 071023-N-5086M-023 Culinary Specialist 2nd Class Yan Ng prepares cots for potential evacuees during the San Diego wildfires, which have already burned more than 250,000 acres in San Diego County.jpg
Cots prepared for potential evacuees

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."[61]

See also

References

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  1. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
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  4. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  5. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  6. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  7. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  8. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  9. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  10. ↑ a b c d Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  11. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  12. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  13. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  14. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  15. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".Template:Cbignore
  16. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  17. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  18. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  19. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  20. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  21. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  22. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  23. ↑ Cite error: Script error: No such module "Namespace detect".Script error: No such module "Namespace detect".
  24. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  25. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  26. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  27. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".Script error: No such module "Unsubst".
  28. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  29. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  30. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  31. ↑ a b Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  32. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".Script error: No such module "Unsubst".
  33. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  34. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  35. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  36. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  37. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  38. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  39. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  40. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  41. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  42. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  43. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  44. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  45. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  46. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  47. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  48. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  49. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  50. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  51. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".Script error: No such module "Unsubst".Template:Cbignore
  52. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  53. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  54. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  55. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  56. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  57. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  58. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  59. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  60. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".
  61. ↑ Script error: No such module "citation/CS1".

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