Latest Information posted Friday, November 7, 2003

Major California wildfires had burned nearly 750,000 acres by Tuesday, caused 22 deaths and destroyed some 3,645 homes.

* CAMP PENDLETON/ROBLAR NO. 2 FIRE, San Diego County : No deaths, 9,000 acres. Started Oct. 21 on the Marine base, cause under investigation. Contained.

* CEDAR FIRE, San Diego County : 14 people dead, 2,232 homes, 22 commercial properties and 566 outbuildings destroyed, 280,293 acres burned. Death toll includes one firefighter. Started Oct. 25, apparently by lost hunter setting a signal fire. Contained.

* DULZURA FIRE, San Diego County : No deaths, one home, and 16 other structures damaged, 45,971 acres burned. Started Oct. 26, cause under investigation. Contained.

* GRAND PRIX FIRE, San Bernardino County : No deaths, 137 homes, one commercial property, and 60 outbuildings destroyed. 59,448 acres burned. Started Oct. 21, human caused and under investigation. 98 percent contained.

* MOUNTAIN FIRE, Riverside County : No deaths, 23 homes destroyed, 39 other structures destroyed, 10,331 acres. Started Oct. 26, cause under investigation. Contained.

* OLD FIRE, San Bernardino County : 6 people killed, 993 homes, 10 commercial buildings destroyed, 91,281 acres. Started Oct. 25, blamed on arson. 93 percent contained.

* PADUA FIRE, Los Angeles County : No deaths, no buildings destroyed, 10,466 acres. Separated from Grand Prix fire in San Bernardino County . Contained.

* PARADISE FIRE, San Diego County : 2 people killed, 221 homes and 192 outbuildings destroyed, 56,700 acres. Started Oct. 26, cause under investigation. 85 percent contained.

* PIRU FIRE, Ventura County : No deaths, one home, one commercial property, and six outbuildings destroyed, 63,991 acres. Started Oct. 23, cause under investigation. 90 percent contained.

* SIMI VALLEY , Ventura and Los Angeles counties: No deaths, 37 homes and 27 outbuildings destroyed, 108,204 acres. Started Oct. 25, cause under investigation. Contained.

* VERDALE FIRE, Los Angeles County : No deaths, 8,680 acres. Started Oct. 24, under investigation, possible arson. Contained.

Infomation from Friday October 31, 2003

Currently, there are 7 large fires burning out of control in California. More than 729,000 acres have burned in 5 counties, 20 deaths have been reported (including a firefighter from Novato, CA), 2,600 homes have been destroyed and 100,000 people have been displaced. The Cedar Fire alone has accounted for 272,000 acres and 14 deaths alone and is on its way to becoming the largest wildfire in California history.

14,000 firefighters from California and other states are currently battling the blazes. Damages resulting from the fires so far are being estimated to be at least $2 billion.

In regards to weather, the winds and humidity have dissipated and there is a chance of much needed showers for tomorrow. Unfortunately for firefighters, temperatures were down into the 40's last night adding another obstacle to getting control of these fires.

Fire Update:

Grand Prix (San Bernardino County, Grand Prix at Shetland in Fontana)
91,207 Acres
80 % Contained
Fire Started 10/21/03 @ 1422 hours
Human Caused
27 Injuries reported to date
50 Residences, 48 Outbuilding and 12 Other destroyed. A CWN helicopter was also damaged at the onset of the fire.
40 Residences damaged
Potential threat to larger diameter natural gas supply lines.
Structures threatened in Oak Hills east of I-15, Silverwood Lake, Summit Valley and outlying areas south of Hesperia. Mandatory evacuations for Silverwood Lake, Summit Valley, and Oak Hills east of I-15 areas remain in effect.
Voluntary evacuations for Lucerne Valley south and east of Hwy 18 to Mojave River and south of Bear Valley Road.
Evacuations centers are located at: Jessie Turner Center, Park and Recreation Center in San Antonio Heights, Claremont High School.
Firefighting resources: 1,808 firefighters (829 CDF, 810 OES/LG), 13 helicopters (1 CDF), 43 fire crews (36 CDF), 169 engines (34 CDF, 270 OES/LG), 0 air tankers, 30 dozers (2 CDF), 328 overhead (109 CDF).
Will continue with line construction with dozers and fire crews.
Fire continues to spread North and East at reduced rates of speed due to the marine influence over the area.
Containment objectives are likely to be met given current weather forecasts and resource availability within the next 48 hours.
Road closures: SR-18 & SR 330 are open to emergency vehicles ONLY, SR-38

Cedar (San Diego County, Cedar Creek and Boulder Creek Road)

The fire is heading east and firefighters are using backfires to contain the fire as much as possible. Fire officials still fear the fire may spread to Julian and Descanso. Yesterday, winds were blowing at 20-35 mph.

272,318 Acres
38 % Contained
Fire Started 10/25/03 @ 1737 hours
Human Caused
25 Injuries reported to date
Yesterday there was a burn over that occurred. The burn over resulted in one fire fighter fatality, one critical burn, and 2 moderate burn injuries. The personnel were from the Novato Fire Department, and we share in the families and the Departments grief. An investigation is underway, and additional facts will be presented at the conclusion of the inquiry.
2 Firefighters were injured in Julian yesterday.
10 Civilian and 1 Firefighter Fatalities
1,483 Structures, 1 Commercial, 316 Outbuildings destroyed Threats to communities of Julian, Pine Hills, Cuyamaca, and Mt. Laguna, Santa Isabella, Ranchita, Pine Valley, Lake Morena and Campo.
Evacuations are changing according to progression of fire.
Threat to powerlines which provide service to 20,000+ residents.
Firefighting resources: 3,662 Firefighters (1,060 CDF, 975 OES/LG), 4 helicopters (3 CDF), 49 fire crews (36 CDF), 533 engines (67 CDF, 325 OES/LG), 0 air tankers, 26 dozers (14 CDF), 605 overhead (200 CDF).
Fire is established in the Volcan Mountain, north of Julian. This presents a threat to Julian from both the west and north sides.
Containment efforts have been re-focused to Volcan to prevent fire spread north of Julian.
Several structures were lost in the outskirts of Julian; however, the historic part of Julian is undamaged at this time.
Incident is under Area Command (Turner).
Road closures: Hwy 79 from Pine Hills to Descanso.

Paradise (San Diego County, Valley Center)

This fire is moving in a north/northeasterly direction towards the Palomar Mountains.

56,000 Acres
25 % Contained
Fire Started 10/26/03 @ 0130 hours
Human Cause
7 Injuries reported to date
2 Civilian Fatalities
117 Structures and 116 Outbuildings Destroyed
8 Structures and 7 Outbuildings damaged
Structures threatened in the communities of Deer Springs, Mesa Grande, La Jolla Reservation and Mt. Palomar
Evacuations in the La Jolla Reservation.
Firefighting resources: 1,407 Firefighters (721 CDF, 240 OES/LG), 11 helicopters (2 CDF), 32 fire crews (24 CDF), 136 engines (38 CDF, 80 OES/LG), 0 air tankers, 12 dozers (4 CDF), 142 overhead (95 CDF). Fire crossed the Lusardi Truck Trial into Mt. Palomar, Deer Springs, Mesa Grande and La Jolla Reservation.
The greatest potential for spread remains to the northeast. The fire is expected to reach Hwy 76.
Containment efforts will become more achievable as additional resources arrive.

Simi Incident (Ventura County, Simi Valley/Moorpark)

The fire is projected to be more easterly driven by winds and topography. Fire operations are continuing in order to tie in the fire to newly established containment lines. Weather for Friday is forecasted to be 50-60 degrees with winds blowing southeast-southwest at 5-15 mph.
107,000 acres
40% Contained
Fire Started 10/25/03 @ 1415 hours
Cause is Under Investigation
9 Injuries reported to date
28 Structures, 145 Outbuildings, 17 Vehicles destroyed.
8 Structures damaged. Also damaged was a oil pipeline infrastructure requiring a hazardous materials response. Fish and Game department was notified.
Threat to the communities of Santa Clarita, Stevenson Ranch, Porter Ranch and Canyon Country.
Firefighting resources: 1,575 Firefighters (216 CDF, 315 OES/LG), 10 helicopters (3 CDF), 24 fire crews (10 CDF), 261 engines (10 CDF, 105 OES/LG), 8 MAFFS air tankers, 35 dozers (14 CDF), 210 overhead (36 CDF).
Strong westerly winds pushed the fire into the Stevenson Ranch area which required aggressive structure protection.
Containment objectives should be met as additional resources are assigned to the incident.
Due to fire activity in the vicinity of I-5, extended closures of this interstate may become necessary, causing major disruption to commuters and commerce.
Still 90 miles of line to construct.
Damage assessment has provided a revised loss to date which totals $17.1 million dollars which includes estimated agricultural losses of over $7.5 million dollars. Padua (Los Angeles County, Claremont, Ca)
The fire continues to burn in the mountains North of Mt. Baldy village. Firefighters are making good progress on containing it. All mandatory evacuations were lifted as of 6:00pm, October 30.

10,466 Acres
90 % Contained
Fire Started 10/21/03 @ 1422 hours
Human Caused
15 Injuries reported to date
59 Structures Destroyed
Voluntary evacuations remain in effect for Mt. Baldy Village area.
Firefighting resources: 455 firefighters (160 CDF), 3 helicopters (0 CDF), 12 fire crews (5 CDF), 50 engines (25 CDF), 0 air tankers, 4 dozers (0 CDF), 100 overhead (13 CDF).
The fire is expected to remain within Control Objectives.
Demobilization of resources will continue today.

Whitmore Incident (Shasta County, 2 miles East of Whitmore)
Whitmore Incident (CA SHU 011176)

1,004 acres
100% Contained
Containment date: 10/30/03 @ 0800 hours
Fire started 10/28/03 @ 1130 hours
Cause – Under Investigation
Injuries - 0
Firefighting resources: 878 firefighters (384 CDF, 90 OES/LG), 60 engines (18 CDF, 30 OES/LG), 28 fire crews (14 CDF), 9 dozers (4 CDF), 7 helicopters (2 CDF), 0 air tankers (0 CDF), 16 water tenders (1 CDF), 158 overhead (108 CDF).
Expected Control Date: 11/01/03 @1800 hours
The fire is just east of the community of Whitmore and is no longer a threat to structures in the area.
Mop up, patrol and strengthening of control lines will continue throughout the day.
Site rehabilitation efforts have begun. Some fire suppression resources will be released today.
Demobilization with a significant release of additional resources is anticipated for tomorrow.
This will be the last report for this incident.

Cal Pine (Lake County, Cal Pine Unit, Socrates Mine Road)
Cal Pine Incident (CA LNU 8505)

150 acres
20% Contained
Containment date: N/A
Fire started 10/29/03 @ 2246 hours
Cause – Under Investigation
Injuries - 0
Firefighting resources: 217 firefighters (171 CDF), 13 engines (12 CDF), 9 fire crews (7 CDF), 1 dozers (1 CDF), 1 helicopters (1 CDF),0 air tankers (0 CDF), 2 water tender (0 CDF), 0 overhead (0 CDF).
Expected Control Date: Unknown
The fire is burning in heavy fuel and driven by the wind.
One geothermal processing plant is threatened.
FEDERAL FIRES

Old (San Bernardino County, North of San Bernardino, Hwy 18)

49,880 Acres
10 % Contained
Fire Started 10/25/03 @ 917 hours
Under Investigation
3 Injuries reported to date
One firefighter injury with second and third degree burns below the waist.
2 Civilian Fatalities
850 Structures and 10 Commercial Properties Destroyed
35 Structures Damaged
50,000 -60,000 Residential and 2,000 Commercial Properties threatened in the communities of Lake Arrowhead and Running Springs. Mandatory evacuations throughout the mountain communities remain in effect: Big Bear, Seven Oaks, Angelus Oaks, Crestline/Cedar Pines, Lake Arrowhead, Twin Peaks, Sky Forest, Arrowbear, Running Springs, Blue Jay, Oak Hills, Green Valley Lake, North/East Del Rosa areas, East Highland Ranch, Everything east of Weaver.
American Red Cross established evacuation centers in several areas: Sultana High School in Hesperia, Hesperia High School and the San Bernardino National Airport.
Firefighting resources: 2,452 Firefighters (869 CDF, 525 OES/LG), 13 helicopters (0 CDF), 46 fire crews (41 CDF), 386 engines (55 CDF, 175 OES/LG), 0 air tankers, 9 dozers (0 CDF), 181 overhead (30 CDF).
Additional structures were lost in the North Lake Arrowhead area overnight.
Fire will continue to spread rapidly through receptive fuels, and will intense as burning factors come into full alignment and high wind speeds develop. Fire continues to move uphill.
Marine layer is moving into the area but has little affect on fire behavior.

Piru (Ventura County, Northwest of Lake Piru near the Community of Fillmore)

The fire made a significant run to the northeast, toward the Angeles National Forest. Recent weather changes have contributed to the spread of the fire as it continues to move into inaccessible terrain. The weather for Friday is predicted to be 60 degrees with winds blowing southeast at 10 mph.

64,000 Acres
20% Contained
Fire Started 10/23/03 @ 1330 hours
Under Investigation
20 Injuries reported to date
3 Structures, 1 Commercial Property and 4 Outbuildings destroyed.
Threat remains in the community of Santa Paula.
Firefighting resources: 1,484 Firefighters (595 CDF, 120 OES/LG), 5 helicopters (0 CDF), 47 fire crews (25 CDF), 95 engines (30 CDF, 40 OES/LG), 0 air tankers, 25 dozers (6 CDF), 226 overhead (70 CDF). Will continue with contingency plans to include indirect dozer and hand line construction.
Fire is currently burning in grass, brush and some timber. Fire burned into the Sespe Condor Sanctuary.
Handcrews, helicopters, air tankers and engines are critical attack resources. Will continue with structure protection to the communities of Santa Paula and Ojai.

Xowannutuk Incident (Humboldt County, 10 miles East of Orick)
Xowannutuk Incident (CA RWP 5720)

315 acres
75% Contained
Containment date: 10/30/03 @ 1800 hours
Fire started 10/26/03 @ 0800 hours
Cause – N/A
Injuries - 0
Firefighting resources: 286 firefighters (2 CDF), 9 engines (0 CDF), 10 fire crews (0 CDF), 0 dozers (0 CDF), 0 helicopters (0 CDF), 0 air tankers (0 CDF), 4 water tenders (0 CDF), 46 overhead (1 CDF).
Expected Control Date: Unknown
Fire is located 10 miles east of Orick, CA.
Minimal fire activity predicted for today

Air Quality Concerns:

In San Diego, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is reporting air quality as GOOD except for those areas in the vicinity of the wildfires. For Ventura County, the EPA is reporting air quality as GOOD for the eastern half of the county and MODERATE for the western part of the county. For Los Angeles, the air quality is listed as MODERATE.

Update on electricity:

So far, 29,000 San Diego Gas and Electric (SDGE) customers are without power in 49 communities. 500 consumers are reported to be without gas. SDGE is reporting that 1,400 electrical poles have been consumes or destroyed in the fires.

Currently, representatives from SDGE are attempting to contact victims via phone, door hangers, and visiting shelters to consult with fire victims regarding electricity bills. SDGE has reported they will be giving fire victims a grace period, will work out payment plans for those victims that need assistance, and will reduce or waive amounts due for extreme cases.

Evacuation Center update:

San Bernardino

Hesepria High School: 336 evacuees reported
Sultana High School: 210 evacuees reported
Jessie Turner High School: 47 evacuees reported
San Bernardino Airport: 900 evacuees reported
Apple Valley High School: 189 evacuees reported
Victor Valley College: 97 evacuees

San Diego

Mountain Empire High School (Alpine, CA): 1,200 evacuees; The area is without power, which is not expected to be restored for another week.

Santana High School: 46 evacuees
Emmanuel Faith Church: 114 evacuees
Borrego Springs High School: 600 evacuees
Valley Center High School: 75 evacuees
Campo Community Center: 10 evacuees

State Staff Locations:

State staff is currently spread out visiting evacuation centers, helping evacuated fire victims with any needs they have and providing phone numbers for our offices both in California and Washington, D.C. Additionally, State staff is also visiting fire command centers for each fire, consulting with FEMA representatives and the California Office of Emergency Services.