Wildfires Forced Hundreds to Flee Their Homes

Wildfires Forced Hundreds to Flee Their Homes



October 2007

 More than eleven major 
wildfires are blazing from Los Angeles to San Diego, claiming one life and 
prompting California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to proclaim a state of 
emergency in seven counties. 
The proclamation will release state funds to ensure that adequate 
financial resources are available to rapidly attack the fires and 
reimburse critical emergency response costs, the governor said. 
Fanned by fierce Santa Ana winds, the fires have burned a number of homes, 
businesses and other structures. Residents have been evacuated in 
dangerous areas. 
Throughout the region, more than 30,000 acres have already burned, and 
more areas are threatened. 
The wildfires are being driven by dry conditions and winds gusting up to 
60 miles per hour, making it impossible to fight the fires with 
helicopters, and fire officials expect these conditions to continue for 
several days. 
Near the U.S./Mexico border, the Harris Fire started just after 9 am 
Sunday near the community of Potrero and already has burned more than 
3,000 acres. This fire is being driven by strong 30 to 35 mph Santa Ana 
winds. One person has died in the Harris fire, but the victim's name and 
the circumstances of the death have not yet been released. 
Four firefighters were injured when their engine was engulfed by flames 
from the Harris Fire, Cal Fire officials reported just before 2 pm. The 
location and time of the incident was not immediately available. Officials 
said the victims were flown to the University of California San Diego burn 
center in Hillcrest. 
San Diego Gas & Electric Company reports that 379 homes are without power 
in the Santa Ysabel area and 12 homes in Potrero are without power. San 
Diego residents are closing their windows to keep out the fire's acrid 
smell. 
Farther north, near Los Angeles, the Canyon fire at the celebrity enclave 
of Malibu has burned more than 2,000 acres, destroying five homes and a 
church and damaging several other homes. California fire officials say 600 
residences and more than 200 commercial buildings are threatened by the 
fire. 
About 200 homes have been evacuated in the communities of Malibu Colony, 
Puerco Canyon, Monte Nido and Sweetwater Canyon, officials said. 
The Buckweed fire northeast of Los Angeles has burned 10,000 acres and is 
not yet contained. Two homes have been destroyed and fire officials say 
3,800 residences 
The Ranch Fire started Saturday night near Townsand Peak, southwest of 
Templin Highway and Interstate 5, in the Angeles National Forest. 
The fire is burning southwest pushed by 20-30 mph winds with gusts to 60 
mph. The terrain is rugged with medium to heavy chaparral brush typical of 
Southern California. This area has not burned for about 40 years, fire 
officials say. At 11am on Sunday, the eastern flank of fire became very 
active burning east and upslope. Smoke and flame was visible from 
Interstate 5. Two helitankers are dropping water and old bulldozer lines 
on west side of fire are being rehabbed for possible use. 
Weather reports call for continued Santa Ana winds with low humidity and 
temperatures ranging into the 90s. 

---