(10-29-2003) - One Northern California firefighter was killed fighting the massive Cedar Fire in the East County back country Wednesday and another was seriously injured but expected to recover, officials said.
The victims were felled about 2:15 p.m. as they battled flames near Wynola, just west of the historic mining town of Julian, which firefighters have vowed to save.
Steve Rucker, 38, a Novato Fire Protection District firefighter/paramedic was killed, a district spokesperson said. Captain Doug McDonald was burned over 18 percent of his body, is hospitalized in critical condition at a San Diego burn center and is expected to recover, the spokesperson said.
Engineer Shawn Kreps and firefighter/paramedic Barrett Smith received minor burns and were treated and released, the spokesperson said.
"I don't have to tell you this is the largest fire in the history of the state of California, probably the biggest disaster that we've ever had," Sheriff Bill Kolender said. "I toured the area, and I just want you to know it is devastating and it is almost hard to believe as to what you're seeing.
The destruction of homes and property is just unbelievable."
At least 15 other people were known dead as a result of the firestorms that consumed at least 350,000 acres and destroyed more 1,500 homes during a four-day rampage in San Diego County, authorities said Wednesday.
Three of the dead were identified as Galen Blacklidge, 50, of Moreno; Nancy Morphew, 51, and Ashleigh Roach, 16, both of Valley Center. All three died near their homes trying to escape the flames, according to the medical examiner's office.
Others remained unidentified, including a body found today near a home on Vista Viejas Road in Alpine.
The 250,000-acre Cedar Fire threatened to bring destruction to downtown Julian.
"It still has not moved into Julian proper," said California Department of Forestry Chief Rick Henson. "We are trying the best we can to make a stand on that. We have over 100 fire engines up there right now trying to make sure it does not move into the historic town of Julian, and we'll do everything we can to make sure that does not happen."
The Cedar Fire wiped out most of the hamlet of Cuyamaca yesterday and also destroyed at least 200 structures south of Julian, Kolender said.
Today's weather changed completely from what it was two days ago, with the wind blowing in the opposite direction, Henson said.
The National Weather Service issued a fire-weather watch for San Diego County, officials said.
Southwest winds of 25 mph -- with gusts of up to 40 mph -- are expected, officials said.
Greg Cox, chairman of the county Board of Supervisors, said preliminary damage estimates were about $460 million, and would go higher.
The Cedar Fire, the largest of Southern California's firestorms, prompted mandatory evacuations last night for Julian, Laguna, Pine Hills, Pine Valley, Wynola, Guatay, Palomar Mountain and Descanso.
This afternoon, sheriff's officials notified residents of Ramona and San Diego Country Estates that the Paradise Fire -- which started in Valley Center -- was burning north of their location and could develop into a threat.
The Paradise Fire blackened 50,000 acres, destroyed 117 homes, and was 20 percent contained, authorities said.
"It still has not moved onto Palomar Mountain, and our efforts there are exactly the same as Julian," Henson said. "We want to keep it off the Palomar Mountain at all costs."
The Cedar Fire destroyed at least 1,416 homes, including 349 in the city of San Diego, and 40 in Poway, Cox said.
A disaster relief center to aid those who lost homes opened Wednesday in Scripps Ranch.
San Diego Mayor Dick Murphy said the relief center was available to anybody in San Diego County until more centers are opened up.
Cox said three other disaster assistance centers would be set up in Alpine, Valley Center and Ramona. The center in Alpine will be open by Saturday, Cox said.
Wednesday afternoon in Riverside, Gov. Gray Davis signed an executive order which will relieve local governments who have exhausted their financial resources, of the burden to pay for 25 percent of the cost of fighting the fires.
"Local taxpayers are already sufficiently overburdened," the governor said. "This fire is adding to their woes and the state has historically done this since 1988."
At the same news conference, Office of Emergency Services Director Dallas Jones defended the state's response to the wildfires in San Diego.
"This has been one of the quickest responses to any disaster that California has ever faced," Jones said. "Not only were we very quick to react to the initial fires, but also the requests into San Diego.
"Now, I understand because of the losses suffered down there, there are very high feelings," Jones said. "And that's clear in any fire. We've been through the Malibu, Oakland Hills, all kinds of fires. But I think it's disingenuous for some people to be making charges that the fire services in California haven't been very proactive."
Kolender urged residents to exercise patience and not return to their homes until authorities give them the all clear.
He called the blaze the "greatest fire tragedy in the history of this county."
"Our hearts go out to those who have lost their loved ones, their homes, and in some cases, both," Kolender said.
Looting had been reported in Harbison Canyon, Dehesa and unincorporated areas near El Cajon, but no arrests were made, he said.
Some 3,330 firefighting personnel had the Cedar Fire about 20 percent contained, authorities said.
Firefighters believe the blaze could be contained by next Wednesday, with full control estimated on Nov. 16th, CDF spokeswoman Donna Adams said.
The Otay Fire, burning along the U.S.-Mexico border, charred more than 45,000 acres in the South Bay, according to the CDF. That fire was fully contained Wednesday, Lowes said.
A wildfire that started last week on Camp Pendleton in the North County was fully contained Tuesday.
Air quality was back in the "good to moderate" range for much of San Diego County, but public schools will remain closed for the rest of the week, officials said.
San Diego Gas & Electric officials said 30,000 customers were still without power. Power officials were calling affected customers or hanging notices on their doors to let them know when their electricity might be restored.
"San Diego County has a big heart," Kolender said. "We're going to get through this. And we are in fact making progress."