2007 — Oct 20-Nov 9, Wildfires (23), Southern California — 10

— 10  Badger. “NFPA Report: U.S. Multiple-Death Fires for 2007.” NFPA Journal, Sep/Oct 2008.

— 10  Insurance Info. Institute. “The Ten Most Catastrophic Multiple-Death Fires of 2007.”

— 10  NFPA Journal. “Multi-Dearth Incidents, 2007.”  September/October 2008, p. 62.

Badger: “….The largest [non-structural] loss-of-life fire was the wildfire that killed 10. The headlines in most newspapers, television, and radio news stories in the United States and in many areas around the world told of the California firestorms of 2007. These fires broke out over several days in late October and burned over 518,000 acres or 809 square miles (210,000 hectares), destroyed over 3,100 structures, including 2,100 residences, and caused the evacuation of almost a million residents. Tragically, there were at least 10 deaths directly related to these fires. In addition, several more deaths were attributed indirectly to these fires, mostly due to natural causes at various stages during the evacuations and fires.

“The 10 deaths directly resulting from the fires occurred in two of the larger named fires. Eight died in the Harris fire and two died in the Witch fire. Five of the 10 victims were caught in the open, in a ravine or a cave near the Mexican border, three were in their homes, and two were in a garage. The exact location of two victims was not reported.

“Santa Ana winds of over 70 miles (113 kilometers) per hour with gusts of over 100 miles (161 kilometers) swept the fires very rapidly, catching most victims before they even had a chance to evacuate. Reports also indicated that at least 27 other civilians were injured, along with over 130 firefighters. It appears that the dedicated actions of over 11,000 firefighters, as well as many law enforcement and government agencies from California and throughout the United States and Mexico, kept the death toll to a minimum.” (Badger, Stephen. “NFPA Report: U.S. Multiple-Death Fires for 2007.” NFPA Journal, Sep/Oct 2008.)

NFPA: “The firestorm of 23 wildfires burned 518,000 acres or 809 square miles…destroyed over 3,100 structures, of which 2,180 were residential properties….The 10 victims were trapped within two of the larger fires.  Eight people died in one fire – five were in open areas, two were in a garage, one was at home, and the location of two was not reported.  The two who died in the second fir were in their home.  At least four other deaths were attributed to these fires but were not listed as fire deaths.” (NFPA Journal. “Multi-Death Incidents, 2007.” Sep/Oct 2008, p. 62.)

Sources

Badger, Stephen. “NFPA Report: U.S. Multiple-Death Fires for 2007.” NFPA Journal, Sep/Oct 2008. Accessed 8-20-2015 at: http://www.nfpa.org/newsandpublications/nfpa-journal/2008/september-october-2008/features/2007-us-multiple-death-fires

Insurance Information Institute. Fire Facts and Statistics. “The Ten Most Catastrophic Multiple-Death Fires of 2007.” Accessed at: http://www.iii.org/media/facts/statsbyissue/fire/?table_sort_735794=5

National Fire Protection Association. “Multi-Death Incidents, 2007.” NFPA Journal, Sep/Oct 2008, p. 62.