2003 — Oct 25-Nov 4, Arson Wildfires (esp. Cedar, Old Fire, Paradise), Southern CA –22-24

–22-24  Blanchard tally based on sources and named fire breakouts below.[1]

 

— 22  NCDC. Storm Events Database. Search Results, all CA Counties. Wildfire, Oct 25-Nov 1, 2003.

— 20  NOAA. A History of Significant Weather Events in [So. CA]…by Weather Type Jan 2007.

—   4  NCDC. Storm Events Database, Wildfire, CA, San Bernardino Co., Oct 25-29, 2003.

–Male, 70, permanent home.              –Male, 32, outside.

–Male, 93, permanent home.              –Female, 55, outside.

—   2  NCDC. Storm Events Database, Wildfire, CA, San Bernardino Co., Nov 1-5, 2003.

— Male, 54, outside.                           — Male, 67, outside.

— 14  NCDC, NOAA. Storm Events Database, Wildfire, California, San Diego Co., 10-25-2003.

            Female, 17, permanent home.   Female, 45, outside.    Male, 28, vehicle/towed trailer.

Female, 54, permanent home.   Male, 38, outside.       Male, 55, vehicle/towed trailer.

Male, 50, outside.       Female, 58, vehicle/towed trailer.

Female, 28, outside.    Male, 63, vehicle/towed trailer.

Female, 50, outside.    Male, 32, vehicle/towed trailer.

Female, 47, outside.

Male, 77, outside.

—   2  NCDC. Storm Events Database, Wildfire, California, San Diego Co., Oct 26-31, 2003.

–Female, 16, vehicle/towed trailer.    –Female, 51, outside.[2]

 

Southern California:

–24  KPCC 89.3, Southern CA Public Radio. “2003 Wildfires: Memories Linger…” 10-25-2013

–24  CA Resources Agency. California Fire Siege 2003: The Story, October 21-November 4, 2003. Preface.

–20  AP, San Bernardino. “Devastating week for Calif.” Elyria Chronicle Telegram, OH, 11-2-2003, 12.

–20  AP, Big Bear Lake. “Resort town threatened by fire; 15,000 flee.” Lima News, OH, 11-1-2003, 4.

–20  AP, Big Bear. “Fireman killed battling wildfire.” Daily Link, Newcastle, PA, 10-30-2003, 2.

–17  AP, Rimforest. “California wildfires threaten mountain towns as weather…” 10-29-2003. 1.[3]

–11  Cedar Fire, San Diego County.

—  4  Old Fire, San Bernardino County.[4]

—  2  Paradise Fire, San Diego County.

–15  AP, San Diego. “Wildfires have California reeling,” Daily Herald, Chicago, 10-28-2003, 2.

–13  AP, San Diego. “13 die in California wildfires.” The Capital, Annapolis, MD, 10-27-2003, A2.

–2  People attempting to escape in their car.

–3  People in vehicles, in addition to the two noted above.

–1  Near Moreno;[5] body found in mobile home.

–3  People attempting to escape on foot.

–2  Dead on arrival at local hospitals.

–2  San Diego County, fire started on Oct 26, killing two.

 

San Bernardino County Old Fire    (  6)

— 6  Maxfield. San Bernardino County Fire Chiefs’ Association Lessons Learned… 2012, p. 4.

— 6  State of California Resources Agency. California Fire Siege 2003, p. 50. (civilians)[6]

— 4  AP, Rimforest. “California wildfires threaten mountain towns as weather…” 10-29-2003. 1.

— 4  Heart attacks; elderly. AP, LA. “Hunt on for those who set S. California fires.” 10-30-2003.

— 4  AP, San Diego. “13 die in California wildfires.” The Capital, Annapolis, MD, 10-27-2003, A2.

— 4  Post-Standard, Syracuse, NY. “Wildfires at a Glance.” 10-31-2003, A6.[7]

 

San Diego County Cedar Fire          (14-15) 

–15  KPCC 89.3, Southern CA Public Radio. “Largest California Wildfires, Cedar Fire.” 10-25-2013.

–15  Varnado. A Canyon Trilogy: Life Before, During and After the Cedar Fire. 2008. p. ix.

–14  State of CA Resources Agency. California Fire Siege 2003… Oct 21-Nov 4, 2003. P. 5.[8]

–14  Post-Standard, Syracuse, NY. “Wildfires at a Glance.” 10-31-2003, A6.[9]

–12  Assoc. Press, Los Angeles. “Hunt on for those who set S. California fires.” 10-30-2003.

–11  AP, Rimforest. “California wildfires threaten mountain towns as weather…” 10-29-2003. 1.

–11  AP, San Diego. “Many victims didn’t quickly heed warning to flee.” Daily Herald, 10-28-2003.

—  9  AP, San Diego. “13 die in California wildfires.” The Capital, Annapolis, MD, 10-27-2003, A2.

—  3  Barona Reservation. One victim in a vehicle and two others on foot.[10]

—  1  Wynola area, Oct 29. Steve Rucker, 38, fire engineer, Novato Fire Protection District.[11]

 

San Diego County Paradise Fire     (  2)

— 2  AP, Rimforest. “California wildfires threaten mountain towns as weather…” 10-29-2003. 1

— 2  NCDC. Storm Events Database, Wildfire, California, San Diego Co., Oct 26-31, 2003.

— 2  Post-Standard, Syracuse, NY. “Wildfires at a Glance.” 10-31-2003, A6.[12]

— 2  State of CA Resources Agency. California Fire Siege 2003… Oct 21-Nov 4, 2003. P. 74.[13]

 

By Date:

Oct 26, Sunday:

–13  Cedar Fire. Civilians. State of CA Resources Agency. CA Fire Siege 2003, p. 25.

—  2  Paradise Fire. Confirmed. State of CA Resources Agency. CA Fire Siege 2003, p. 25.

Oct 27, Monday:

—  2  Locality not noted – just that fatalities went from 15 to 17. CA Fire Siege 2003, p. 29.

Oct 28, Tuesday (fatalities reported here remain at 17). CA Fire Siege 2003, p. 33.

Oct 29, Wednesday:

—  1  Novato Firefighter killed, bringing total to 18. CA Fire Siege 2003, p. 37.

Oct 30, Thursday – 18 fatalities reported to date. CA Fire Siege 2003, p. 41.

Oct 31, Friday.

—  2 San Diego City, though no named fire was specified. Also, fatalities go to 22, not 20.[14]

Nov 1-4: “22 confirmed fatalities related to fires.” CA Fire Siege 2003, p. 48.

 

Narrative Information

 

NCDC, San Bernardino County, Old Fire: “Named the Old Fire, this fire was started by an arsonist on October 25. It consumed 91,200 acres before it was fully contained on November 5, 2003. During the month of October, it destroyed 850 houses, 10 commercial buildings, 1460 power poles, 220 electrical transformers, several miles of highway and utility infrastructure. It also damaged another 35 houses. The entire San Bernardino Mountain range was evacuated. An estimated 80,000 people were evacuated during the first day, and this caused a 28 mile long traffic jam on Highway 18. Eventually the foothill communities of Silverwood Lake, South Hesperia, Oak Hills, Summit Valley, Telephone Canyon, and Las Flores were also evacuated. Smoke, ash, and/or flames from the fire severely impacted and/or halted ground, air, and rail transportation into and out of Southwest California several times. Atmospheric conditions preceding it’s start and during the first four days were: high temperatures 90 to 100 degrees, relative humidity ranging from 3 percent during the day to 20 percent at night, and predominate north to northeast winds. The condition and loading of the fuels also caused the fire to grow upwind and up slope against 25 to 50 mph winds. On the first day of the fire, it destroyed 400 houses and 10 commercial buildings. By the second day it had merged with the east flank of the Grand Prix Fire. By the third day when the northeast winds were no longer dominate, it burned over the ridge line, through the Cajon Pass, and down the high desert steppe towards Hesperia. On the fourth day, Wednesday Oct. 29th, an increase in southwest flow caused the southeast flank of the fire to grow rapidly towards Big Bear Lake. Wind gusts over 40 mph were measured across the ridges. Moisture increased rapidly over the next several days and light rain fell along the coastal slopes and ridge tops. As the month of October closed, the fire was still active and hooking around the northwest and northeast side of the San Bernardino Mountain range, threatening to burn up the north slope and into the resort communities.” (NCDC, NOAA. Storm Events Database, Wildfire, CA, San Bernardino County, Oct 25-29, 2003.)

 

NCDC, San Bernardino County, Old Fire: “The Old Fire, which began on October 25, was not fully contained until November 5. During the first few days of November, another 2 deaths and 7 injuries occurred and 143 structures were lost. These are in addition to those reported in the October 2003 Storm data for the Old Fire. Light to moderate rain, sleet, and snow fell 11/01 through 11/03 and slowed the fire growth. Rock and mud slides on Highway 18 and 330 hampered access to some areas during these days, but crews were able to complete containment lines by November 5. The fire was still active until mid November. The total cost of fire fighting (October 25 through November 14, 2003) was computed at $42,336,057.” (NCDC,NOAA. Storm Events Database, Wildfire, CA, San Bernardino Co., Nov 1-5, 2003.)

 

NCDC, San Diego County, Cedar Fire: “Named the Cedar Fire, this fire was started around sunset on October 25 by a lost hunter. Wind gusts from the northeast over 30 mph began within 2 hours of the fire’s start. Atmospheric conditions remained favorable for rapid fire growth for the four days following with maximum temperatures ranging between 88 and 98, and minimum relative humidity around 15%. During the first 36 hours, the fire grew at a rate of 6000 acres/hour. At one point it had a 45 mile long flaming front and threatened to merge with the Paradise Fire to the north and the Otay Fire to the south. During the month of October, it consumed 275,833 acres and destroyed: 2403 residential, commercial, and industrial buildings; 2725 accessory buildings; 3302 vehicles, travel trailers, boats, and tractors; 500 power poles; and several miles of utility and highway infrastructure. It damaged another 155 residential, commercial, and industrial buildings; 16 accessory buildings; and 11 vehicles, travel trailers, boats, and tractors. Of the acreage consumed, 33,000 were within the city limits of San Diego. Communities affected included: Lake Cuyamaca, Wynola, Pine Hills, Harrison Park, Scripps Ranch, Tierrasanta, San Diego Estates, Poway, Ramona, Santee, Lakeside, Blossom Valley, Pine Valley, Descanso, and Julian. Federal property containing the Miramar Marine Corp Air Station, the Federal Aviation Administration’s Air Traffic Control Radar (TRACON) and the National Weather Service’s radar (WSR-88D) and upper air inflation shelter was also consumed. Two U.S.N. troop carriers and QualComm Stadium were used as evacuation shelters. Poor air quality and visibility due to the smoke and ash forced the closures of schools and air and ground transportation. East to northeast winds continued to gust near 40 mph until midday October 29 when the Santa Ana wind event ended. During the next 24 hours, the winds gusted from the opposite direction between 25 and 40 mph. Moisture increased rapidly and light rain and drizzle were observed over much of the fire area. As the month ended the fire was still active.” (NCDC/NOAA. Event Record Details, Wildfire, California, 25 Oct 2003.)

 

NCDC, San Diego County, Paradise Fire: “Named the Paradise Fire, this fire was started by an arsonist on October 26, 2003. In October it consumed 56,000 acres, and destroyed 348 structures, 342 vehicles, and several miles of utility lines and highway infrastructure. Atmospheric and fuel conditions were favorable for rapid growth both preceding and during the first several days of the fire. Maximum temperatures ranged between 91 and 101 degrees, relative humidity ranged from 6 to 10 percent during the day and 28-46 percent at night, with east and northeast winds gusting 30 to 40 mph during the nights and mornings and becoming west 5 to 10 mph during the afternoons. On the first day, the fire rapidly burned into Valley Center and east Escondido, consuming 7,350 acres and 160 structures. Rapid fire growth continued for the next two days. From October 29 through October 31, the dominate wind direction was southwest and moisture increased significantly. Light rain and drizzle fell over parts of the fire area, but the fire was only 30 percent contained and still active when October ended.” (NCDC. Storm Events Database, Wildfire, California, San Diego Co., Oct 26-31, 2003.)

 

Newspapers

 

Oct 5: “Los Angeles – Even as crews battled Southern California’s ferocious and fatal wildfires, investigators were trying to determine who set them. ‘Over half of the fires in Southern California are of suspicious origin or definitely arson,’ said James Wright, chief of fife protection for the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. More than 13 fires have started since last week, with eight continuing to burn Wednesday. No arrests had been made, but federal, state and local investigators said they were making progress. Several people have been detained in connection with the 28,000 acre Old Fire in San Bernardino County that has killed four elderly people who had heart attacks. Several were released after questioning….

 

“San Diego County authorities, meanwhile, said they are positive a wildfire that has so far killed 12 people and burned more than 1,000 homes was sparked by a lost deer hunter who set a signal blaze. Sergio Martinez, 33, of West Covina, was rescued by a San Diego County sheriff’s helicopter on Saturday in the Cleveland National Forest. He was given a misdemeanor citation for setting an unauthorized fire. The fire was only 30 square yards when he was rescued. The pilot who rescued him…said Martinez initially denied setting the fire but then said, ‘I’m sorry about all this’ and apologized repeatedly….

 

“Witnesses said they saw a man in his 20s in a gray van throw something into the brush and start a fire on Saturday….” (Associated Press, Los Angeles. “Hunt on for those who set S. California fires.” Ukiah Dail Journal, CA. 10-30-2003, p. 2.)

 

2013: “In October 2003, Southern California was ravaged by wildfires fueled by Santa Ana winds. From Oct. 21 to Nov. 4, there were 14 major fires burning from as far north as Santa Barbara County to as far south as the U.S.-Mexico border. Dubbed the “2003 Firestorm” or “Fire Siege of 2003,” it scorched more than 750,000 acres, destroyed thousands of homes and killed 24 people. Fire officials have called it the ‘most devastating wildland fire disaster in state history.’….

 

“San Diego’s Cedar Fire — the largest ever recorded in California – was perhaps the largest conflagration of the firestorm. At the time it started, San Diego had sent many of its resources north to help battle other wildfires. So when the region was confronted with its own wildfire, it found itself strapped for resources. Brian Fennessy, the assistant chief of fire operations with the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department, said the Cedar Fire burned a record-breaking 100,000 acres in less than 10 hours. ‘Quite honestly, it caught us by surprise, because we’ve never seen or heard of a fire move that quickly, across that much terrain, in that short a period of time,’ said Fennessy….” (KPCC 89.3, Southern California Public Radio. “2003 Wildfires: Memories Linger, Firefighting Techniques Evolve after the Largest Fire in California History.” 10-25-2013.)

 

Sources

 

Associated Press, San Diego. “13 die in California wildfires.” The Capital, Annapolis, MD, 10-27-2003, A2. Accessed 10-5-2015 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=259163517&sterm

 

Associated Press, Rimforest, CA. “California wildfires threaten mountain towns as weather conditions change.” Daily Globe, Ironwood, MI, 10-29-2003, p. 1. Accessed 10-5-2015 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=81426407&sterm=wildfire+death

 

Associated Press, San Bernardino. “Devastating week for Calif.” Elyria Chronicle Telegram, OH, 11-2-2003, 12. Accessed 10-6-2015: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=29909994&sterm

 

Associated Press, Big Bear Lake. “Fireman killed battling wildfire.” Daily Link, Newcastle, PA, 10-30-2003, p. 2. Accessed 10-6-2015: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=229724716&sterm

 

Associated Press, Los Angeles. “Hunt on for those who set S. California fires.” Ukiah Dail Journal, CA. 10-30-2003, p. 2. Accessed 10-5-2015 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=120458223&sterm=wildfire

 

Associated Press, San Diego. “Many victims didn’t quickly heed warning to flee.” Daily Herald, IL, 10-28-2003, p. 2. Accessed 10-5-2015: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=259850941&sterm

 

Associated Press, San Diego. “Wildfires have California reeling,” Daily Herald, Chicago, 10-28-2003, p. 2. Accessed 10-5-2015 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=259850941&sterm

 

KPCC 89.3, Southern California Public Radio. “2003 Wildfires: Memories Linger, Firefighting Techniques Evolve after the Largest Fire in California History.” 10-25-2013. Accessed 10-6-2015 at: http://www.scpr.org/news/2013/10/25/39939/2003-wildfires-10-years-after-the-largest-fire-in/#report

 

KPCC 89.3, Southern California Public Radio. “Largest California Wildfires, Cedar Fire.” 10-25-2013. Accessed 10-6-2015 at: http://firetracker.scpr.org/wildfires/largest-ca-wildfires/

 

Maxfield, William F. San Bernardino County Fire Chiefs’ Association Lessons Learned Report: Fire Storm 2003 “Old Fire.” Sparks, NV: 9-1-1 Consulting Group, Inc., 10-24-2012 modification. Accessed 10-5-2015 at: http://www.firescope.org/training/aars/2003/2003-old-fire-lessons-learned-report.pdf

 

National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database. Search Results for all Counties in California. Wildfire, Oct 25-Nov 1, 2003. Accessed 10-5-2015 at: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/listevents.jsp?eventType=%28Z%29+Wildfire&beginDate_mm=10&beginDate_dd=25&beginDate_yyyy=2003&endDate_mm=11&endDate_dd=01&endDate_yyyy=2003&county=ALL&hailfilter=0.00&tornfilter=0&windfilter=000&sort=DT&submitbutton=Search&statefips=6%2CCALIFORNIA

 

National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database, Wildfire, California, San Bernardino County, 10-25-2003. Accessed 10-5-2015: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=5335897

 

National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database, Wildfire, California, San Bernardino County, Nov 1-5, 2003. Accessed 10-5-2015 at: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=5336552

 

National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database, Wildfire, California, San Diego County, 10-25-2003. Accessed 10-5-2015 at: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=5335898

 

National Climatic Data Center, NOAA. Storm Events Database, Wildfire, California, San Diego County, Oct 26-31, 2003. Accessed 10-5-2015: http://www.ncdc.noaa.gov/stormevents/eventdetails.jsp?id=5335978

 

National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. A History of Significant Weather Events in Southern California Organized by Weather Type.  NOAA, January 2007, 91 pages. Accessed at:  http://www.wrh.noaa.gov/sgx/research/Guide/weatherhistory.pdf

 

Post-Standard, Syracuse, NY. “Wildfires at a Glance.” 10-31-2003, A6. Accessed 10-6-2015 at: http://newspaperarchive.com/fullpagepdfviewer?img=28176955&sterm=wildfire+death

 

State of California Resources Agency. California Fire Siege 2003: The Story, October 21-November 4, 2003. Accessed 10-6-2015: http://www.fire.ca.gov/fire_protection/fire_protection_2003_siege.php

 

Varnado, Chi. A Canyon Trilogy: Life Before, During and After the Cedar Fire. Bloomington, IN: AuthorHouse, 2008.

 

Additional Reading

 

Forest Service, USDA. “The Story” one Year Later, 2004: An After Action Review (R5-PR-015). Forest Service Pacific Southwest Region, United States Department of Agriculture, Jan 2005. Accessed 10-5-2015 at: http://web.archive.org/web/20080529143402/http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/fire/information/story/part_1.pdf

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[1] We use the range 22-24 even though the California Resources Agency in their report on the California Fire Siege 2003, note 24 fatalities. In the report, however, only 22 fatalities are tallied by fire. A note concerning two possible fire fatalities in Los Angeles County, not attributed to one of the named fires, may be the explanation. Several other sources, including the National Climatic Data Center of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, note twenty-two fatalities.

[2] Appears to be reference to Nancy Morphew, 51, who “didn’t’ seem worried about getting out in time, when warned by a neighbor to flee, and “apparently underestimated how fast the flames were moving, after she “was found dead in the road, her burned-out truck siting at the bottom of a steep ditch along Yellow Brick Road.”

[3] The number of deaths is in caption under AP photo accompanying Daily Globe, Ironwood, MI, article, p. 1.

[4] Two are listed in “California wildfires kill and destroy sidebar to article, and “two more deaths in San Bernardino County Tuesday, bringing the death toll to 17,” noted under photograph accompanying the article.

[5] Assoc. Press, San Diego. “Many victims didn’t quickly heed warning to flee.” Daily Herald, IL, 10-28-2003, 2.

[6] Notes “The cause of the fire was identified as human caused.”

[7] Cites California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection and local fire officials.

[8] Notes: “Cause: Human.” (p. 72.)

[9] Cites California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection and local fire officials.

[10] Assoc. Press, San Diego. “Many victims didn’t quickly heed warning to flee.” Daily Herald, IL, 10-28-2003, 2.

[11] AP, Big Bear Lake. “Fireman killed battling wildfire.” Daily Link, Newcastle, PA, 10-30-2003, p. 2. Article notes his “crew was overcome by flames near Wynola, a town a few miles northwest of Julian in eastern San Diego County.” Also notes “Three other crew members were critically injured” and that his was “the first firefighter death since the series of blazes began last week.”

[12] Cites California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection and local fire officials.

[13] Notes: “Cause: Human.”

[14] It is noted that “Human remains found in Lakeside. Unknown cause of death.” CA Fire Siege 2003, p. 44. (Perhaps this is one of the two fatalities that explains jump from 18 fatalities on Oct 30 to 22 on Oct 31.