The battle for Julian
Flames burn trees Tuesday at the southern end of Lake Cuyamaca as the Cedar Fire followed the route of Highway 79 from Interstate 8 toward Julian.
More crews arrive as 2 huge blazes threaten to become one
By Jeff McDonald, Moshay Simpson and Irene McCormack JacksonUNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITERS
October 29, 2003
Fire crews are waging a frantic battle to save Julian, carving battle lines around the central business district of the mountain community best known for antique shopping and apple pie.
They lost their fight to spare the fishing and camping village around Lake Cuyamaca in the afternoon, when the eastward-rushing Cedar fire overran nearly that entire community, including the tiny volunteer fire station. Officials fear they lost 250 or more homes and businesses in Cuyamaca, up to 90 percent of the town.
The Cedar fire became the largest fire in California history in terms of acreage.
Other buildings were lost in Harrison Park and Wynola, closer to Julian. But the extent of damage there was not clear because officials were unable to conduct accurate assessments.
They were very clear, however, about ordering people out.
"If you're still home in Julian, go," San Diego County Sheriff Bill Kolender said late in the afternoon. "Pack your most important things and go. Do not come back to get more."