Worst wildfires in recent California history
AP | Monday, Oct 22 2007
http://www.bakersfield.com/119/story/266246.html
Some of the worst wildfires in California this century, based on deaths, destruction or acreage burned.
- October 2003: Cedar Fire, near San Diego, 273,000 acres, 4,847 structures, 15 deaths. Accidentally started by a hunter in the Cleveland National Forest, it was among 15 wildfires that killed 22 people, destroyed 3,640 homes and blackened 750,000 acres of Southern California during a two-week period.
- November 1993: Topanga Fire, Malibu area of Los Angeles County. 18,000 acres, 323 homes, three deaths. Cause: Arson. The fire was among more than 20 that killed four people, destroyed more than 1,000 homes and consumed 193,814 acres during a two-week period.
- October 1991: Tunnel Fire, Oakland hills of Alameda County. 1,520 acres, 3,276 homes and apartments destroyed, 25 people killed. Cause: A flying ember from a fire believed contained ignited a tree.
- November 1980: Panorama Fire, San Bernardino foothills. 23,600 acres, 325 homes destroyed, four dead. Cause: Arson.
- September 1970: Laguna Fire, San Diego County mountains. 175,425 acres, 382 structures, six dead. Cause: Power lines.
- November 1966: Loop Fire, near Angeles National Forest in Los Angeles County. 2,028 acres, 12 firefighters killed. Power line.
- November 1961: Bel Air-Brentwood Fire, Los Angeles County. 6,090 acres, 484 homes, 21 other buildings. Cause: Believed to be accidental.
- July 1953: Rattlesnake Fire, Glenn County. 1,300 acres, 15 firefighters killed. Cause: Arson.
- October 1933: Griffith Park Fire, Los Angeles County. 47 acres, 29 welfare workers clearing brush killed. Cause: Undetermined.
October 22, 2007
PE.com - Daily News Digest
http://www.beloblog.com/Pe_Blogs/#a142445
Pentagon will send six firefighting aircraft to state
United States Defense Secretary Robert Gates announced tonight that the Defense Department will send six aircraft with Modular Airborne Fire Fighting Systems to help fight the wildfires raging throughout Southern California.
Gates made his announcement after he received a letter from Gov. Schwarzenegger asking the federal government to send all planes possible.
“The federal government has informed me that they will commit six aircraft with MAFFS units that will arrive in the state tomorrow. Their support will provide us with additional firefighting capabilities that will help save lives and property,” Schwarzenegger said in a statement.
—The Press-Enterprise
Posted by PE.com at 6:18 PM
Governor asks military for firefighting aircraft
Gov. Schwarzenegger has called on the Pentagon to provide special firefighting aircraft to help battle the wind-driven blazes in Southern California.
“It is only with the full support and assistance of your office that we can bring the fires under control and protect Californians from even more despair and destruction,” Schwarzenegger wrote in a letter to United States Defense Secretary Robert Gates.
The modular airborne fire fighting systems requested by Schwarzengger feature a pressurized 3,000-gallon tank installed on a C-130 aircraft. In his letter, he asked for all available aircraft to be sent.
— Jim Miller
Posted by PE.com at 5:50 PM