Replies

SAN DIEGO PRESS CONFERENCE

Mayor Murphy:

Bad news is that there is much more damage than originally thought.
Good news is that the weather is changing for the better, winds have died down and the fire is moving east and is being driven by vegetation as opposed to structures.

President Bush has declared San Diego city and county a disaster area clearing the way for victims to apply for federal financial aid.

Governor Davis, in today's visit, pledged additional resources.

Most school districts, UCSD and SDSU will again be closed on Tuesday.

Fire Chief Bowman:

The fire has become a "stable situation."

In a 75 percent completed walk through of the affected areas, the following damage was noted and was found to be much higher that first estimated:

In Scripps Ranch area:
over 300 homes destroyed
six homes damaged
More information at www.scrippsranch.org

In Tierra Santa:
Eleven homes destroyed
33 homes significantly damaged

Five firefighters have lost their homes in the San Diego County fires.

Police Chief Lansdowne:

Twelve members of the SDPD (sworn and civilian) have lost their homes.

Most city facilities (except for essential services such as police, fire, water and sewer) will be closed again on Tuesday.

Next briefing will be at 11 AM Tuesday, unless the situation changes.