Wildfire Forces Evacuation Of Scripps Ranch (SAN DIEGO IS ON FIRE!)

NBC San Diego ^ | October 26, 2003

[South40]

RAMONA, Calif. -- Fire officials said at 9 a.m. that the Cedar Fire, which had burned more than 10,000 acres, had jumped state Route 67 and was now threatening the area of Scripps Ranch.

Brush fires burning in San Diego Sunday filled the county's skies with smoke, killing 5 and destroying scores of homes.

Hundreds of San Diego residents have been evacuated from the paths of the fires.

East of Ramona, a blaze being called the Cedar Fire has destroyed has scorched at least 10,000 acres, and at least seven homes in the San Diego Country Estates area were destroyed. The CHP reported that two people who were trying to evacuate were trapped by the flames and killed.

Fire officials announced around 8 a.m. that a branch of the Cedar fire was burning in Santee Lakes near the Bonita Parkway. At 8:30, there were no details to report about that blaze.

Thousands of other homes and structures are threatened by the Cedar Fire.

A mandatory evacuation was ordered around midnight for the San Diego Country Estates community in Ramona, and many residents are taking the orders very seriously. That fire has burned through Barona and Moreno Valley and has crossed Highway 67 at Johnson Lake Road. Sunday morning, the fire was raging around Eucalyptus Hills -- a heavily populated area -- and was making its way toward Lakeside.

Fire officials were urging people in the area to evacuate to the Ramona Performing Arts Center at the Ramona High School at 1401 Hanson Lane. The school's phone number is (760) 788-5000. Earlier, residents had been sent to the Olive Pierce Middle School at 1542 Hanson Lane in Ramona, but, with nearly 700 residents there, authorities said the facility was full.

NBC7/39 reported around 9 a.m. that the Cedar Fire had jumped state Route 67 and was now approaching the area of Scripps Ranch. Residents of Scripps Ranch were being ordered to evacuate and were told to go to Mira Mesa High School at 10510 Reagan Road.

A second fire, which was being referred to by officials as the Paradise Fire, began near Valley Center in the Boucher Heights area of the Rincon Reservation. The fire in Valley Center has charred at least 1,000 acres, and 50 to 100 homes have been destroyed. Cole Grade Road has been closed. A fire chief on the scene told NBC7/39 that he personally had seen at least three people who had been killed by the fire.

The Red Cross has opened an evacuation center at Valley Center Middle School 28102 N. Lake Wolhford. Large animal evacuations can be taken to Aerie Park at Aerie Road and Betsworth.

Two command posts have been set up by officials; one is located at San Vicente Road and Gunn Stage Road in Ramona and the second at the Lakeside Rodeo grounds.

A third fire was burning on Marron Valley Road near state Route 94 in the Dulzara area close to the U.S.-Mexico border. More than 400 acres had reportedly burned in that fire.

Early on Sunday morning, embers could be seen falling from all directions as residents made their way to safety. Ash from the fires was seen drifting to the ground as far away as downtown San Diego.

"There was a fire all over the hillside by our house about 1:10 this morning," said evacuated resident Jeffrey Shults. "They knocked on the door and told us to evacuate immediately and not to grab anything, just family. Period."

The San Diego sheriff's department said that its communications center is operating in emergency mode and will only be answering emergency calls only for the next several hours.

Toward the north, the fire burning at Camp Pendleton had reportedly burned nearly 5,000 acres and is 55 percent contained, reported fire officials.

Check back here for updates on this breaking news story.

[South40]

That may stop the roofs from catching fire but there are other possible forms of ignition and/or exposed fuel sources. I recall hearing that some houses in the Harmony Grove fire (houses with clay tile roofs) caught fire when the radiant heat burst windows igniting interior furnishings. Exposed wood on houses caught fire also. As well as trees, shrubs, and other flora.

[Ditter]

I know that forest fires are very hot. I heard a story about some people trying to get out of a fire in their car & the tires melted. I have seen people with a garden hose wetting the roof down. But the area around SanDiego looks like low brush. I think in an area like that when the sparks are blowing in from far away that a roof sprinkler system would help.

[lawdude]

"Your post is an absolute total waste of font."

So you are telling me that the whole friggin city of San Diego is on fire as THE POST STATES? Will this rival San Francisco...Chicago?

I still believe it is theatrical and your flame back rather confirms.

[Tijeras_Slim]

I live in a high fire danger area. I'd stay and fight (my neighbors and I have put out several brush fires in the past couple years), but I'd run like crazy when it was time. I'd wager that many of these folks don't have a "defensible space" around their homes - about 30 feet with no or few combustibles.

[NYer]

SANDYEGGO UPDATE

Just received the following from Sandyeggo!

"All of us, the dog, and the family photos are here down at my mom's house. We are fine. Bulldozer and helicopter water drop took care of the fire at the end of our street as we were leaving. Keeping our fingers crossed that will be as close as it gets. Air quality is terrible. The sky is so ominous... it's been an eerie orange twilight all day. TV news says the fire line is 25 miles long. Many homes lost - lives too. I've hear 11, don't know if that is accurate. I know of several who died in their cars trying to get away - the fire moved that fast. God rest their souls.

Thanks for the kindness of your prayers."

Folks, keep those prayers going! This is a brutal situation in CA.

[Quilla]

This morning I read the many posts written during the night that described the fires in Southern California. I understood the portions of CA in danger were in and around LA. Checking back in about an hour ago I saw this Scripps Ranch thread. I've never heard of Scripps Ranch but I do have a sister in San Diego. Without the added comment in the title, those not familiar with the area wouldn't have known San Diego was involved. No where does it say ALL of San Diego is on fire. Please try to be a tad civil for those who have loved ones in the area.

[Diddle E. Squat]

Well we have subdivisions on fire, at least 350 homes burned(confirmed, the numbers will go much higher), at least 8 dead, entire subdivisions evacuated, at least 30,000 in S. Cal under threat of evacuation, the largest mobilization of fire staff in CA history, San Diego telling residents to minimize travel and cut their electricity use, at least 4 freeways shut down in just San Diego, fires still ADVANCING on multiple fronts on both suburbs and denser urban areas, air traffic at a near standstill and reverberating across the country with mass cancellations, the BNSF railroad shut down because its route out of S. Cal is blocked, 4 of the 6 freeways out of the S. Cal basin either closed or threatened, the numbers of fires increasing, further power widespread power cuts threatened by the fire, and apparently one or more arsonists still on the loose(blue/black van with 3 occupants reported to CHP leaving multiple ignitition scenes).

No, I wouldn't say they were being overdramatic. I'd say you might want to get a clue as to what the real situation is, rather than scanning a headline or couple of posts.

[Lael]

and apparently one or more arsonists still on the loose(blue/black van with 3 occupants reported to CHP leaving multiple ignitition scenes).

I've got a real bad feeling about this...Is this ARSON payback for the Recall???

Seems to be hitting the Recall Areas particularly hard!!

Is this Political???

G-D, I hope not...

[bonesmccoy]

well if so, the biggest zone for pro=recall was Orange County. Other than being inundated with smoke, we have not apparently seen much fire issues going.

I'll try to get a scanner to monitor OC channels.

[Free Trapper]

Lawn sprinklers,oscillating or not,might help on the roof in some situations.

I use them to cool campers and critter pens when it gets hot.

[CARepubGal]

You are a waste of oxygen. Consider yourself reported. Liberal.

[cricket]

"Folks, keep those prayers going! This is a brutal situation in CA."

This is brutal. . .and incredible; not only the loss of life; home and hearth for so many, but I think too, of the animals out there; who cannot survive; just destroyed.

It is incredible that one's frustration and anger must focus on some idiot, lost in woods, using fire to signal for help or so it has been reported as to how this started.

Do think that the Environmentalists/Liblerals surely carry blame here as well.

I do hope and pray that things take a turn for the better out there. . .and soon.

[ridesthemiles]

They haven't been able to make alot of progress for 2 reasons, IMO. The winds are really blowing, sending flaming bits and materials a long way and starting new fires. Everything is normally very dry at this time of year, and it has been a drier year than normal.
On top of that, Recalled Gov. Gray Dooooffuuusss stood down all of the Calif Dept Forestry (CDF) AIR ATTACK planes on Oct 15 for "winter maintenance". Since the months that are the wettest like Jan-Feb-March don't need the planes nearly as much, it seems to me that would be the time to stand them down.
Earlier this year, due to the "lack of money" from the out of control spending in Sacramento, Dooofffuusss closed all the state forest towers that are used for observation on possible smoke/fires. Some of the locations here in northern Calif are being manned by volunteers who are former employees of same or retirees. God Bless them.
Again, DOOFFUUSS has put all of his thoughts towards himself, and left Calif literally burning up. I know he didn't cause the winds, and I am (fairly) sure he isn't an arsonist, but standing down air attack planes in the worst time of year is sheer folly. If I had serious money, I would explore going after him on criminal charges for malfeasance. Just my opinion....

[thathamiltonwoman]

No offense but doesn't California have fires every year?

[LaraCroft]

Hey! I know you! You are that loser trying to raise a statue about Matthew Shepard going to Hell!

Lara, proud to be conservative, NOT republican.

If you don't know the difference, you are probably too stupid to vote.

[Capt. Tom]

Does anyone remember after 9/11 that the FBI uncovered plans by some of the terrorist groups to set wildfires in the West? Whenever I hear that these were caused by arson, I think about that....

AP ^ | 10-26-03
Posted on 10/26/2003 6:25 PM EST by wheelgunguru

SAN BERNADINO, Calif. - Flames stoked by powerful winds raced through Southern California on Sunday, growing to more than 208,000 acres, destroying 500 homes in densely populated suburbs and causing at least 11 deaths.

At least eight people were killed in the state's largest fire in eastern San Diego, including two who died inside their car as they apparently tried to escape the flames, said San Diego Sheriff Bill Kolender said.

The 100,000-acre fire started Saturday near the mountain town of Julian when a lost hunter set off a signal fire, authorities said. The hunter was detained and may face charges. snip

[Ditter]

I'm not talking about lawn sprinklers & hoses. I'm talking about a built in permanant sprinkler system installed on the roof. I am sure its being done in places where sparks & embers can blow a long way from a fire & ignite a roof.

[Free Trapper]

Yes,I understand and agree.

Was adding lawn sprinklers as an afterthought for anyone that might be looking for a short term quick fix.:)

[rwfromkansas]

Are you serious?

If so, you take the stupidest Freeper award.

You chose to live in a tinderbox, so shut the hell up moron.

[rwfromkansas]

"San Diego is on fire" is a sensationalistic headline unless the entire city or a majority of it is actually burning.