:October 2007 California wildfires

This is a list of the named fires that ignited as part of the October 2007 California firestorm, beginning in late October 2007. Most of these wildfires were managed by Cal Fire at some point in time.

{{reflist|group=nb}}

Image:CAWildFire2007SanDiegoNOAA.png

Image:2007SanDiegoFiresradar1008z.PNG imagery of the fires on October 23.]]

Of all the wildfires, the two largest ones were located in San Diego County. The largest, the Witch Creek Fire, burned areas in north and northeast San Diego County. The second largest, the Harris Fire, burned northwest from the U.S–Mexico border towards San Diego. Officials feared that the fires could become even more destructive than the 2003 Cedar Fire that burned {{convert|280278|acre|km2|1}}, destroyed 2,820 buildings (including 2,232 homes), and killed 15 people (including one firefighter) before being contained on November 3, 2003. Although individually the fires did not surpass the Cedar Fire, if they had combined as one, they would have.{{cite web | url = http://www.lakesidehistory.org/CedarFire/cedar_fire_memorial.htm | title = Cedar Fire & Memorial | publisher = Lakeside Historical Society | access-date = 2007-10-27 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20160623225606/http://www.lakesidehistory.org/CedarFire/cedar_fire_memorial.htm | archive-date = 2016-06-23 | url-status = dead }}[http://www.fire.ca.gov/cdf/incidents/Cedar%20Fire_120/incident_info.html Cedar Fire-Final Update, State of California website] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100711214728/http://www.fire.ca.gov/cdf/incidents/Cedar%20Fire_120/incident_info.html |date=2010-07-11 }}. Note, some references, such as [http://www.esri.com/news/arcnews/winter0304articles/sandiego-fire.html Esri] report the acreage of the Cedar Fire at 273,246 acres; however, this article uses the figure reported by the State of California.

Residents were subjected to a mix of mandatory and voluntary evacuations, depending on the projected path of a fire. Hundreds of thousands of residents were notified of evacuations via a computerized Reverse 911 phone call system. While this alert system was mostly effective, many residents in Rancho Bernardo received the calls after they had been driven from their homes. On the other hand, in Carmel Valley, only the northern half was officially evacuated, but a computer error mistakenly sent Reverse 911 calls to the southern half as well. Law enforcement officers also notified residents by driving through evacuation areas. On October 24, 2007, San Diego County Sheriff Bill Kolender stated that the number of people evacuated in San Diego county exceeded the number evacuated from New Orleans, Louisiana during Hurricane Katrina.{{cite news

| url=http://sosdfireblog.blogspot.com/2007/10/fire-evac-surpasses-katrina.html

|title=Fire evac surpasses Katrina |newspaper=The San Diego Union-Tribune

| date=October 24, 2007|access-date=2007-10-24}}

Two days into the fires, approximately 500,000 people from at least 346,000 homes were under mandatory orders to evacuate,"[https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=15561235 California Wildfires Trigger Widespread Evacuations]". NPR (2007-10-24). Retrieved on 2007-10-24. the largest evacuation in the region's history.

{{cite news |access-date=2007-10-24

|url=http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-evacuate24oct24,0,627804.story?page=1&coll=la-headlines-california

| title=Scale of the fires' disruption on display at San Diego stadium

| author = H. G. Reza, Jill Leovy and Alex Pham | newspaper=Los Angeles Times

| date=October 24, 2007

}} Evacuation sites included Qualcomm Stadium, as well as many schools, civic centers, and churches throughout the area. The American Red Cross managed the evacuation centers.

Officials estimated that 12,000 gathered at Qualcomm stadium. Volunteers provided food, blankets, water, internet services, children's toys, massages, and a live rock band performance for those at the stadium.

{{cite news | url=http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/metro/20071022-2315-bn22qcomm.html

| title=Surveyor makes order out of chaos for evacuees |newspaper=The San Diego Union-Tribune

| date=October 22, 2007|access-date=2007-10-22}} Nearly all public schools and universities in the San Diego area were closed. Many businesses closed as well. To ensure clear roads for emergency vehicles, San Diego mayor Jerry Sanders asked residents to stay home and inside.

{{cite news | url = https://www.usatoday.com/weather/wildfires/2007-10-23-wildfires-cover_N.htm

| title="Staggering" numbers flee amid fear and uncertainty| date = 2007-10-23

| author = William M. Welch, Patrick O'Driscoll and Chris Woodyard

| access-date = 2007-10-24

| work=USA Today}}

By October 23, some evacuations were lifted, allowing about 50,000 residents from the cities of Del Mar, Chula Vista, and Poway, and the San Diego neighborhoods of Del Mar Heights and Scripps Ranch to return home.{{cite news|url=http://www.mercurynews.com/breakingnews/ci_7259428|title=Evacuation orders lifted for some San Diego neighborhoods|work=San Jose Mercury News|date=13 October 2007|access-date=22 August 2015}}[http://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/14407302/detail.html Evacuees Allowed To Return To Del Mar, Chula Vista, Scripps Ranch and Poway] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071025034503/http://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/14407302/detail.html |date=2007-10-25 }}. NBC San Diego. Retrieved on 2007-10-23.[http://www.10news.com/weather/14387615/detail.html Some Evacuees Return Home]. KGTV 10 News (2007-10-24). Retrieved on 2007-10-24. On October 24, more evacuation orders for parts of Rancho Bernardo and other areas further west were lifted. However, the fires continued and damage was severe. The four major fires across San Diego County burned over {{convert|368000|acre|km2}} and destroyed or damaged 1,350 homes and 100 businesses since October 21, 2007.{{cite news | title=Fire damage severe, but worst may be over |newspaper=The San Diego Union-Tribune | date=October 23, 2007}}

Many major roads were closed as a result of fires and smoke. On October 22, the California Highway Patrol closed Interstate 15 in both directions between State Routes 78 and 56. On October 24, 2007, the Ammo (Horno) Fire forced the closure of Interstate 5 as well as the Amtrak California Surfliner service between Oceanside and San Clemente. Traffic from Interstate 5 was diverted to Interstate 15, which had reopened.

Officials from the San Diego Wild Animal Park said that its more than 3,500 animals were safe staying in their enclosures where they were protected by the park's fire break and irrigated areas. If the weather conditions worsened, the animals could retreat to their watering holes. However, many critically endangered animals such as the California condor were moved to the park's veterinary hospital, which is fire-resistant and fully equipped with sprinklers. Park spokesperson Yadira Galindo said that the animals were "alert but not showing any concerned behavior."

Fire data was provided by the California Department of Forestry & Fire Protection and independent news media. {{As of|2007|11}}:{{cite web |url=http://www.firescope.org/fires.htm |title=Late October, 2007 California Wildfire Web Pages |publisher=FIRESCOPE: FIrefighting RESources of California Organized for Potential Emergencies |date=2007-11-09 |access-date=2007-11-10 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071031010222/http://www.firescope.org/fires.htm |archive-date=2007-10-31 |url-status=dead }} the following fires burned in San Diego County:

Image:Red Sky at Morning San Diego 22 Oct 2007 v2.jpg

Image:San Diego skyline against smoke from wildfires Oct 2007.jpg

{{Main|Witch Fire}}

The Witch Creek Fire was the largest of the October 2007 wildfires and surpassed the 1970 Laguna Fire as the third-largest fire in California history. Hundreds of thousands of residents were informed of evacuations through the Reverse 911 system. This evacuation came almost four years to the day after the Cedar Fire of 2003.

The fire started in Witch Creek Canyon near Santa Ysabel, and quickly spread to San Diego Country Estates, Ramona, Rancho Bernardo, Poway and Escondido. Locals in the San Pasqual Valley area reported wind gusts of over {{convert|100|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on}}. From there the fire jumped over Interstate 15 and continued west, causing significant damage in Lake Hodges, Del Dios, and Rancho Santa Fe.

Strong Santa Ana winds pushed the fires west towards the coast.{{cite news | url=http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/metro/20071022-0934-bn22fire3new.html | title=Witch fire roars west across Rancho Bernardo and Poway | author=Martinez, Angelica and Greg Gros |newspaper=The San Diego Union-Tribune | date=October 22, 2007 | access-date=2007-10-22}} San Diego County Sheriff William B. Kolendar stated that the Witch Creek Fire could be "well in excess of the Cedar Fire of 2003".{{cite news | url=http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/metro/20071022-0922-bn22fire3.html | title=Wildfires seen as eclipsing the Cedar fire of 2003 | author=Martinez, Angelica and Tony Manolatos |newspaper=The San Diego Union-Tribune | date=October 22, 2007 | access-date=2007-10-22}} While many coastal communities were evacuated as the fire moved west, the shifting winds prevented it from directly threatening those areas. During the duration of the Witch Fire, fire officials reported 80–100 feet-high flames within the wildfire.{{cite web|url=http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/pomerado-news/sdpn-witch-creek-fire-five-years-later-recovery-2012oct19-story.html|title=Witch Creek fire five years later: Recovery, preparation efforts continue|author=Elizabeth Marie Himchak|date=November 12, 2012|access-date=November 13, 2017}}

On the morning of October 22, at 5:22 AM PDT, residents located between the Del Dios Highway and State Route 56 were ordered to evacuate. By 9:30 P.M. PDT on October 22, a dispatch from the city of Del Mar's web site stated: "For your safety, we are strongly advising that all Del Mar residents evacuate."{{cite news | url=http://sosdfireblog.blogspot.com/2007/10/voluntary-evacuation-in-place-for-all.html | title=Voluntary evacuation in place for all of Del Mar |newspaper=The San Diego Union-Tribune | date=October 22, 2007 | access-date=2007-10-22}} Evacuations were also ordered for Scripps Ranch neighborhood, specifically "Everything south of Scripps Poway Parkway, north of MCAS Miramar, east of Interstate 15, and west of Highway 67". The Mesa Grande Indian Reservation was evacuated due to the Witch Fire.{{cite news | url=http://sosdfireblog.blogspot.com/2007/10/mesa-grande-indian-reservation-was.html | title=Mesa Grande Indian reservation was evacuated |newspaper=The San Diego Union-Tribune | date=October 22, 2007 | access-date=2007-10-22}} Residents of the Barona Indian Reservation were advised to leave, though the evacuation was not mandatory. The casino on the reservation was closed. At approximately 01:00 UTC on October 23 (6:00 PM PDT on October 22), fire broke out near Wildcat Canyon to the south of Barona, where many houses were destroyed and lives lost in the Cedar Fire. Residents of Wildcat Canyon and Muth Valley were ordered to evacuate, and the road was closed.{{cite news | url=http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/metro/20071023-1125-bn23fires.html | title=Three major fires still burning out of control |newspaper=The San Diego Union-Tribune | date=October 23, 2007 | access-date=2007-10-27}} During the late afternoon of October 23, the evacuations for Del Mar, Chula Vista, Poway, Del Mar Heights, and Scripps Ranch were lifted for many residents. At 9:50 P.M. PDT on October 23, 2007, the town of Julian, California was ordered to evacuate. Due to the fires, there was no power or phone service in the town.{{cite news | url=http://sosdfireblog.blogspot.com/2007/10/mandatory-evacuations-in-julian.html | title=Mandatory evacuations in Julian |newspaper=The San Diego Union-Tribune | date=October 23, 2007 |access-date=2007-10-23}}

Evacuation sites in San Diego County included Qualcomm Stadium, Escondido High School, Mission Hills High School, Poway High School, Mira Mesa Senior High School, and the Del Mar Fairgrounds.

Many major roads were also closed as a result of the fires and smoke. On October 22, the California Highway Patrol closed Interstate 15 in both directions between State Routes 78 and 56. On October 24, 2007, the Ammo (Horno) Fire forced the closure of Interstate 5, as well as the Amtrak California Surfliner service between Oceanside and San Clemente. Traffic from Interstate 5 was being diverted to Interstate 15, which had reopened. 1,841 firefighters were assigned to the fire.

On Wednesday, October 24, 2007, some of the evacuation orders in place for Rancho Bernardo, Rancho Peñasquitos, 4S Ranch, and other areas west of Rancho Bernardo were lifted, after the western part of the Witch Creek Fire had been extinguished. However, the evacuation orders in place for eastern and northern Rancho Bernardo, around Lake Hodges, were still in place.{{cite web|url=http://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/pomerado-news/sdpn-witch-creek-blaze-hits-rb-hardest-2007oct25-story.html|title=Witch Creek blaze hits RB hardest|author=((spqnp873))|date=October 25, 2007|access-date=November 12, 2017}} On October 25, more of the evacuation orders for the Witch Fire around Rancho Bernardo were lifted, as the Witch Creek Fire became 45% contained.{{cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2007/10/26/us/26cnd-calif.html|title=Homes Still at Risk on 6th Day of Fires|author=Maria Newman|work=The New York Times|date=October 26, 2007|access-date=November 12, 2017}} Late on October 24, after the winds had reversed, the Witch Fire began approaching the nearby Poomacha Fire to the north, which was burning near Palomar Mountain, with firefighters and officials fearing that the two wildfires would soon merge.{{cite web|url=http://www.10news.com/news/witch-fire-threatens-to-merge-with-poomacha-fire|title=Witch Fire Threatens To Merge With Poomacha Fire|publisher=ABC 10News|date=October 24, 2007|access-date=November 8, 2017}} On October 25, the Witch Fire and the Poomacha Fire merged into one gigantic complex fire, with the two wildfires joining to the south of Palomar Mountain. On October 26, the Witch Fire also merged with the contained McCoy Fire, which had previously burned 400 acres in the Pine Hills area, in eastern San Diego County.

Image:Harris fire Mount Miguel.jpg

Image:Aerial View of Harris Fire 10-23-07 1 pm.jpg

{{Main|Harris Fire}}

The Harris Fire burned in a northwest direction from its starting point at Harris Ranch Road in the town of Potrero, in the far south of San Diego County, a few miles north of Tecate, Mexico. On October 23, the fire approached eastern Chula Vista.{{cite web |author=Anne Krueger, Leonel Sanchez and Ray Huard |url=http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/metro/20071022-1225-bn22harris.html |title=Harris fire burning unchecked, heads for Otay Lakes and Chula Vista |newspaper=The San Diego Union-Tribune |date=22 October 2007}}

Many communities were evacuated, with evacuation centers set up at a nearby high school and community center.{{cite news | url=http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/metro/20071022-9999-1n22harris.html | title=Harris fire roars unchecked in East County - 700 residents flee Barrett Junction |author=Neely, Liz and David Hasemyer and Karen Kucher |newspaper=The San Diego Union-Tribune | date=October 22, 2007 |access-date=2007-10-22}}

Thomas James Varshock, 52, of Potrero, died on his property during the Harris Fire on Sunday. His teenage son suffered burn injuries, along with four firefighters of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, who had attempted to rescue them.{{cite news | url=http://www.upi.com/NewsTrack/Top_News/2007/10/23/heroics_in_failed_san_diego_fire_rescue/2737/ | title=Heroics in failed San Diego fire rescue | publisher=United Press International | date=October 23, 2007|access-date=2007-10-23}} The fire may also have caused the deaths of four migrant workers near the U.S.–Mexico border.{{cite news | url=https://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071026/ap_on_re_us/california_wildfires | title= 4 charred bodies in Calif. migrant camp | publisher=Yahoo! news |agency=Associated Press | date=October 25, 2007|access-date=2007-10-25 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071028062326/http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20071026/ap_on_re_us/california_wildfires |archive-date = 2007-10-28}} An estimated 1,210 firefighters battled this fire.{{cite news | url=http://sosdfireblog.blogspot.com/2007/10/harris-fire-update_5349.html | title=Harris fire update 8:16pm October 23, 2007 |newspaper=The San Diego Union-Tribune | date=October 23, 2007 |access-date=2007-10-23}}

The Harris Fire also burned into northern Mexico, near the town of Tecate.{{cite news | url=http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&time=&date=&ttype=&ie=UTF8&om=1&msa=0&msid=114250687465160386813.00043d08ac31fe3357571&ll=32.990236,-116.732483&spn=1.105782,1.757813&z=9&source=embed | title=KPBS Google Map | publisher=Google Maps | date=October 24, 2007|access-date=2007-10-24}}

On November 5, the Harris Fire was 100% contained. However, hotspots continued to burn within the perimeter of the Harris Fire until November 16, when the last hotspot was finally extinguished.

{{Clear}}

• Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton Fires:
• The Wilcox Fire began at Santa Margarita/33 Area behind Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton.{{cite web |url=http://www.cpp.usmc.mil/scout/ssi/fire.asp |title=Southern California Wildfires Camp Pendleton Information Hotline (866) 430-2764 |date=2007-10-26 |access-date=2007-10-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071212235619/http://www.cpp.usmc.mil/scout/ssi/fire.asp |archive-date=2007-12-12 |url-status=dead }}{{cite news | url=http://sosdfireblog.blogspot.com/2007/10/flames-on-pendleton.html | title=Flames on Pendleton |newspaper=The San Diego Union-Tribune | date=October 23, 2007|access-date=2007-10-23}}
• The Ammo Fire was located near the Las Pulgas/43 Area and Basilone Road.
• The Horno Fire burned {{convert|21084|acre|km2|0}}, and was located in the Basilone Road and Canyon Road/Las Flores/41 Area.{{cite news | url=http://sosdfireblog.blogspot.com/2007/10/camp-pendleton-fire-spread-to-6000.html | title=Camp Pendleton fire spread to {{convert|6000|acre|km2}} |newspaper=The San Diego Union-Tribune | date=October 24, 2007|access-date=2007-10-24}}{{cite news | url=http://sosdfireblog.blogspot.com/2007/10/traffic-diverting-to-north-i-15.html | title=Traffic diverting to north I-15 |newspaper=The San Diego Union-Tribune | date=October 24, 2007|access-date=2007-10-24}}{{cite news | url=http://sosdfireblog.blogspot.com/2007/10/southbound-i-5-open-at-pendleton.html | title=Southbound I-5 open at Pendleton |newspaper=The San Diego Union-Tribune | date=October 24, 2007|access-date=2007-10-24}}

Image:Palomar Mountain-Agua Tiba Fire October 2007.jpg]]

• The Poomacha Fire (or Mt. Palomar Fire) began as a structure fire on the La Jolla Indian Reservation, then established itself on Palomar Mountain, merged with the Witch Fire on October 25,{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/in_depth/629/629/7059758.stm|title=Mapping the Wildfires|publisher=BBC News|date=October 26, 2007|access-date=November 8, 2007}} and entered the Agua Tibia Wilderness. Because of steep terrain, it continued to burn after all other October 2007 fires were put out, before finally reaching full containment on November 13, 2007.

• The Rice Canyon Fire started in the early morning of October 22, in the Rice Canyon near Fallbrook. It caused massive evacuations and the closure of Interstate 15.{{cite news | url=http://sosdfireblog.blogspot.com/2007/10/fallbrook-being-re-evacuated.html | title=Fallbrook being re-evacuated |newspaper=The San Diego Union-Tribune | date=October 23, 2007 | access-date=2007-10-23}}

• The Rice Canyon Fire was caused by downed power lines."CalFire

• The Coronado Hills Fire started near San Marcos, and burned south of Cal State San Marcos.

• On October 23, The San Diego Union-Tribune reported on the El Capitan Fire: "A small brush fire that burned today around El Capitan Reservoir north of Alpine is out, Cal Fire officials said about 9:30 p.m. Officials said the blaze consumed the vegetation near the reservoir and ran out of fuel."{{cite news | url=http://sosdfireblog.blogspot.com/2007/10/el-capitan-fire-out.html | title=El Capitan fire out |author=Repard, Pauline |newspaper=The San Diego Union-Tribune | date=October 23, 2007 | access-date=2007-10-23}}

• The McCoy Fire started on October 21, at the Cleveland National Forest, near the intersection of the Eagle Peak and Boulder Creek roads, west of Rancho Cuyamaca State Park. It burned {{convert|400|acres|km2|1}} and destroyed at least one structure in Pine Hills.{{cite news |url=http://www.10news.com/news/fire-crews-surround-mccoy-fire |title=Fire Crews Surround McCoy Fire |publisher=10news.com |date=October 23, 2007 |access-date=November 7, 2017}} Although the McCoy Fire was contained on October 23, the McCoy Fire eventually merged into the still-expanding Witch Creek Fire on October 26, shortly before the smaller fire was fully brought under control.{{cite web|url=https://www.firescope.org/training/aars/2007/2007_aar_santiago_fire.pdf|title=After Action Report Santiago Fire: October 21 - November 9, 2007|author=Chip Prather|publisher=Orange County Fire Authority|date=March 28, 2008|access-date=November 8, 2017}}{{Dead link|date=August 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

File:Long Beach California Wildfires 2007-10-24.jpg

Numerous fires burned in Los Angeles and Ventura Counties.

• The Buckweed Fire burned north of Santa Clarita in Agua Dulce and the community of Canyon Country, triggering many evacuations.{{cite news | first1 = Jason|last1= Song|first2= Jean-Paul|last2= Renaud|first3= Scott|last3= Gold|first4= Molly|last4= Hennessy-Fiske | url = http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-agua23oct23,0,94211.story?coll=la-home-center | title = Buckweed fire becomes top priority | newspaper = Los Angeles Times | date =October 22, 2007 |access-date=2007-10-27}} This fire was the result of a child playing with matches.{{cite web |url=http://www.presstelegram.com/news/ci_7325669 |title=Boy with matches started fire that burned 21 homes |author=Daisy Nguyen |date=2007-10-30 |newspaper=Long Beach Press-Telegram |access-date=2007-10-31 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120224201151/http://www.presstelegram.com/news/ci_7325669 |archive-date=2012-02-24 |url-status=dead }}

• The Canyon Fire burned around Malibu, California, specifically in Malibu Canyon. It was the first of the October 2007 California wildfires to receive significant attention from the national media.{{cite news | url=http://www.nctimes.com/articles/2007/10/22/news/top_stories/22_17_0910_21_07.txt | title=South San Diego County fire kills 1, injures 17 | date=October 22, 2007|access-date=2007-10-22}} In addition to damaging or destroying 14 homes, the fire destroyed two Malibu landmarks: Castle Kashan and the Presbyterian Church.

• The Magic Fire started near The Old Road at Magic Mountain Parkway, within a half mile of the Six Flags Magic Mountain theme park on the west side of Santa Clarita. Flames came within a few yards of West Ranch High School and a large housing development in Stevenson Ranch, but were pushed away. The fire is believed to have been caused accidentally by welders at a construction site.

• The Meadowridge Fire began near Highway 14 and San Fernando Road in Santa Clarita.

Image:Wildfire California Santa Clarita.jpg, on the night of October 21, 2007]]

• The October Fire burned a small area in Santa Clarita, destroying several homes in the Canyon Breeze Mobile Home Park.

• The Ranch Fire (or Castaic Fire) burned along the Los Angeles-Ventura county line about {{convert|5|mi|km}} north of Santa Clarita, in the Angeles and Los Padres national forests. It surrounded the Ventura County community of Piru{{cite news|title=Ranch Fire surrounds Piru, Nightsky Fire contained, small blazes doused |work=Ventura County Star |date=October 22, 2007 |url=http://www.venturacountystar.com/news/2007/oct/22/ranch-fire-closes-highway-126-29000-acres-burned/ |access-date=2007-10-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071023032723/http://www.venturacountystar.com/news/2007/oct/22/ranch-fire-closes-highway-126-29000-acres-burned/ |archive-date=October 23, 2007}} and also threatened the communities of Fillmore, Ventura and Ojai. About 500 residences lie in the fire's path. Evacuations were recommended in all of Piru and portions of Fillmore. Angeles National Forest officials implemented a total forest closure on October 23.

• The Nightsky Fire burned a small area south of Moorpark in Ventura County.

Image:Nasa satellite photo side by side 2007-10-22.jpg

Fire data has been provided by the CAL FIRE and independent news media. {{As of|2007|10}}:

{{main|Santiago Fire}}

Image:SantiagoFireFromAV.jpg

Image:Fires cross a hill in SoCal October 2007.jpg

• The Santiago Fire began shortly before {{nowrap|5:55 p.m.}} on October 21, 2007 in the foothills north of Irvine and east of the city of Orange in Orange County. The fire was reportedly started in two separate spots (along Santiago Canyon Road, west of Silverado Canyon Road); fire officials have attributed the source of the fire to arson.{{cite news |url=http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/10/25/fire.arson/index.html?imw=Y&iref=mpstoryemail |title=Fire chief: 25,000-acre blaze was set |publisher=CNN |date=2007-10-26 |access-date=2014-06-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140222062744/http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/10/25/fire.arson/index.html?imw=Y&iref=mpstoryemail|url-status=live |archive-date=2014-02-22}} On October 24, 2007, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger visited an evacuation center at El Toro High School.{{cite web |url=http://gov.ca.gov/news.php?id=7861 |title=Governor Schwarzenegger Tours El Toro High School Evacuation Center |date=2007-10-24 |access-date=2014-06-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714230554/http://gov.ca.gov/news.php?id=7861 |url-status=dead |archive-date=2014-07-14}} Schools and districts all over Orange County were closed on Friday, October 26, 2007 because of the smoke and bad air quality.{{cite news |url=http://www.ocregister.com/news/fire-canyon-blaze-1902172-santiago-road |date=October 23, 2007 |title=Fire headed towards forest, authorities fear |work=Orange County Register |access-date=2007-10-23 |archive-date=2007-10-25 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071025041808/http://www.ocregister.com/news/fire-canyon-blaze-1902172-santiago-road |url-status=dead }} A reward of $250,000 was offered for information leading to arrest of the arsonist(s). Fourteen homes and twenty four outbuildings were destroyed. Eight homes and three outbuildings were damaged, and sixteen firefighters were injured. In all, the fire burned {{convert|28445|acre|km2|1}}.{{cite web | url= http://www.ocfa.org/ocfamain.asp?pgn1=3 | title= OCFA | publisher= OCFA | date= 2008-02-25 | access-date= 2008-03-21 | archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20110103114943/http://www.ocfa.org/ocfamain.asp?pgn1=3 | archive-date= 2011-01-03 | url-status= dead }}

Current data on the fires has been provided by the CAL FIRE and independent news media. As of October 30:

• The Slide or Green Valley Lake Fire burned near Green Valley Lake, east of Lake Arrowhead. The Green Valley Lake, Arrowbear, and Running Springs communities were evacuated. 1,359 firefighters were assigned to the fire. The estimated cost is $1.2 million. Water pressure in local systems was lost and conditions were too extreme for fighters to continue efforts in some areas. The fire partially burned "Camp Helendade," owned by the Boy Scouts of America's local council, the California Inland Empire Council. Helendade was originally given to the council in 1960 to replace another camp that had been burned.{{cite web | url = http://www.bsa-ciec.org/openrosters/vieworgpagelink.asp?orgkey=21&linkkey=15211 | title = Running Springs Fire Update | publisher = California Inland Empire Council | access-date = 2007-10-23 | archive-date = 2008-03-28 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20080328015842/http://www.bsa-ciec.org/openrosters/vieworgpagelink.asp?orgkey=21&linkkey=15211 | url-status = dead }}{{cite web |date = October 24, 2007 |url = http://www.insidesocal.com/sb/fire/ |title = Fires Consume {{convert|5000|acre|km2}} Total |newspaper = The Sun Daily Bulletin |access-date = 2007-10-23 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071024121212/http://www.insidesocal.com/sb/fire/ |archive-date = October 24, 2007 |url-status = dead }}{{cite web | url = http://www.camphelendade.org/ |title = Camp Helendade Website |publisher=Boy Scouts of America | access-date = 2007-10-23}}

• The Grass Valley Fire was located just north of Lake Arrowhead.{{cite news |url=http://www.knbc.com/news/14397191/detail.html |publisher=KNBC |date=2007-10-23 |title=Voluntary Evacuations Requested For Highland Residents |access-date=2007-10-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090107120355/http://www.knbc.com/news/14397191/detail.html |archive-date=2009-01-07 |url-status=dead }}

• Together, the Devore and Glen Helen Fires (or Cajon Fire) forced the closure of Interstate 15 in the Cajon Pass. One fire was started by an overturned semi-truck.{{cite news | author=Stephen Wall, Gina Tenorio and Jannise Johnson | url=http://www.dailybulletin.com/news/ci_7245363 | title=Fontana homes evacuated, freeways closed | work=Daily Bulletin | access-date=2007-10-24 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080324063242/http://www.dailybulletin.com/news/ci_7245363 | archive-date=2008-03-24 | url-status=dead }}

• The Little Mountain Fire threatened several homes and other structures near Cal State San Bernardino before it was contained.{{cite news | url=http://www.latimes.com/firemap | title=LA Times Google maps | newspaper=Los Angeles Times |date=October 22, 2007 |access-date=2007-10-22}} Due to the cumulative effects of the area fires, the University closed for the week of October 23.{{cite press release | url = http://news.csusb.edu/story_full.asp?articleID=5567 | title = Cal State San Bernardino classes canceled through Friday, Oct. 26 | publisher = Cal State San Bernardino | date = 2007-10-24 | access-date = 2007-10-24 }}{{Dead link|date=April 2020 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

• The Sedgewick Fire was the northernmost of the October 2007 California wildfires. It ignited around 6:00 a.m. PDT on October 21, 2007 from a downed power line. The fire burned a total of {{convert|710|acre|km2|1}} near Los Olivos. Approximately 2000 people were affected and 800 homes threatened before the fire was 100% contained around 5:00 p.m. on October 22.{{cite news |title=Evacuation Warning Lifted for Santa Ynez Valley Fire |publisher=KEYT |date=October 22, 2007 |url=http://www.keyt.com/news/local/10702826.html |access-date=2007-10-22 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071025050719/http://www.keyt.com/news/local/10702826.html |archive-date=October 25, 2007 |url-status=dead }}

• The Roca Fire was reported around 3:52 p.m. on October 21 in the vicinity of SR 79 at SR 371 in Aguanga. One home was destroyed and one injury was reported. It was 100% contained on October 22, after burning {{convert|270|acre|km2|1}}.{{cite web |title=Cal Fire|url=http://www.fire.ca.gov/|date=October 23, 2007|access-date=2007-10-23}}

• The Rosa Fire, three clustered blazes in the Via Santa Rosa/Rancho California Road area of western Temecula began October 22. It was 100% contained by October 24, after burning {{convert|411|acre|km2|1}}. Investigators suspect arson.{{cite news

|url=http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/10/25/fire.arson/?iref=mpstoryview |title=Officials: {{convert|22000|acre|km2|adj=on}} fire was set

|publisher=CNN |date=October 25, 2007 |access-date=2007-10-25}}

• The Wildomar Fire began around 12:30 on October 24 in Wildomar brush, between I-15 and I-215. It was 100% contained within the same day, after burning {{convert|20|acre|km2|1}}.{{cite news |url=http://cbs2.com/topstories/local_story_298072336.html |title=Fire Crews Eye Riverside County's Southern Border |publisher=CBS News |date=October 25, 2007 |access-date=2007-10-25 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071027093809/http://cbs2.com/topstories/local_story_298072336.html |archive-date = 2007-10-27}}

Fires also burned in northern parts of the Mexican state of Baja California.{{cite news |author=Ford, Dana |url=http://lta.today.reuters.com/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=topNews&storyID=2007-10-24T040529Z_01_N23304262_RTRIDST_0_INTERNACIONAL-CALIFORNIA-INCENDIOS-SOL.XML |title=Incendios en California dejan al menos cinco muertos |trans-title=Fires in California leave at least five dead |publisher=Reuters |date=24 October 2007 |language=es |access-date=2007-10-24 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071026074728/http://lta.today.reuters.com/news/newsArticle.aspx?type=topNews&storyID=2007-10-24T040529Z_01_N23304262_RTRIDST_0_INTERNACIONAL-CALIFORNIA-INCENDIOS-SOL.XML |archive-date=26 October 2007 |url-status=dead }} The Harris Fire burned near Tecate,{{cite news | url=http://www.yucatan.com.mx/noticia.asp?cx=9$0000000000$3669023&f=20071024 | title=Las llamas logran cruzar la frontera | trans-title=Flames manage to cross the border | newspaper=Diario de Yucatán | date=24 October 2007 | language=es | access-date=2007-10-24 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071025042558/http://www.yucatan.com.mx/noticia.asp?cx=9$0000000000$3669023&f=20071024 | archive-date=25 October 2007 | url-status=dead }} and fires burned near Tijuana as well.{{cite news | author = Durán, Laura | url=http://www.frontera.info/EdicionEnLinea/Notas/Noticias/22102007/269469.aspx | title=Cierran tramo de carretera Tijuana-Tecate por incendio |trans-title=Tijuana–Tecate road section closes due to fire |newspaper=La Frontera | date=22 October 2007 |language=es |access-date = 2007-10-24}}

More than fifteen thousand hectares were consumed by the wildfires in Baja California. Tijuana, Tecate and Ensenada were the municipalities more affected by the fire. In total there were seven fires caused by Santa Ana winds. The community of Maneadero, in the highlands of Ensenada, was the most affected.{{cite news | author=Hernandez, Jorge | url=http://www.esmas.com/noticierostelevisa/mexico/672182.html | title=Incendios forestales arrasan 15 hectareas en BC | trans-title=Forest fires devastate 15 hectares in Baja California | publisher=Noticieros Televisa | date=25 October 2007 | language=es | access-date=2007-11-12 | archive-date=2012-09-25 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120925190527/http://www.esmas.com/noticierostelevisa/mexico/672182.html | url-status=dead }}

Image:SantaAnaWinds QuikSCAT 2002feb.jpg image from 2002 showing the speed of the Santa Ana winds (m/s)]]

{{see also|Southwestern North American megadrought}}

The fires occurred at the end of a dry summer and were exacerbated by the seasonal Santa Ana winds, which were blowing at an unusually high strength at that time. The San Diego Union-Tribune reported, "Santa Ana winds blowing up to {{convert|60|mi/h|km/h|abbr=on}} combined with temperatures into the 90s to create in the worst possible fire conditions."{{cite news | url=http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/metro/20071022-9999-1n22main.html | title=County asks for 1,000 more firefighters | author=McDonald, Jeff and Janine Zuniga and Kristina Davis|newspaper=The San Diego Union-Tribune | date=October 22, 2007 | access-date=2007-10-22}} At one point swirling winds threatened to bring fire into densely populated urban areas. At the height of the Santa Ana winds on October 22, the winds reached sustained speeds of {{convert|90|mph|km/h|abbr=on}}, with wind gusts up to {{convert|112|mph|km/h|abbr=on}} reported.

Southern California was in the midst of an unusual drought; in Los Angeles, California, with only 3.21 in (82 mm) of precipitation in 2006–2007, it was the driest year on record.{{cite web | url =https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=11778590&ft=1&f=1001 |title = NPR: Water Flows in Los Angeles Despite Drought|author = Kahn, Carrie | website=NPR |date=July 6, 2007 | access-date = 2007-10-24}} The combination of wind, heat, and dryness turned the chaparral into fire fuel. Officials believed that some of the fires generated their own winds, similar to the Oakland firestorm of 1991. The effects of the smoke were felt as far away as Brentwood, California (in the East Bay, near Stockton), where it impacted local weather. The high-speed Santa Ana winds also rendered the use of dropping water from fire fighting aircraft inefficient; until such winds abate, most payloads of water are just dispersed by the wind over an area so large that the water evaporates before it can reach a large fire on the ground.

Image:Oct 21-22 2007 Skyline Comparison.JPG skyline from October 21, 2007 (left and center) to October 22, 2007 (right)]]

Image:Mira Mesa Senior High as an evacuation site during the 2007 Witch Creek Fire (brighter).jpg]]

Image:Firehome3.jpg

On October 21, the Harris Fire damaged and disabled the Southwest Power Link, a 500,000-volt power line from Arizona to San Diego.{{cite news |url=http://www.sddt.com/Search/article.cfm?SourceCode=20071023czd|title=Fires wreak havoc on region's electricity supply|author=Jeran Wittenstein | publisher=San Diego Daily Transcript | date=October 23, 2007|access-date=2007-10-26}} Power outages were reported in Los Angeles, Orange, San Diego, and other counties on October 22 to 333,500 Southern California Edison customers, most being restored within 24 hours. The power outage also affected the areas of Ojai, Oxnard, Simi Valley, Santa Clarita, Thousand Oaks, Agoura Hills, Rialto, Fontana, San Bernardino, Rancho Cucamonga, Mira Loma, Hesperia, Corona, Bloomington, Irvine, Calimesa and Rubidoux. This outage also caused 230 people to be without power in Malibu.{{cite news |url=http://www.knbc.com/news/14390468/detail.html?dl=mainclick|title=SoCal Crews Respond To 'Fire After Fire'|publisher=KNBC | date=October 22, 2007|access-date=2007-10-22}} The California Independent System Operator Corp declared an energy transmission emergency in southern California on October 23, due to wildfires affecting the lines. 500,000-, 230,000- and 138,000-volt lines were disabled in San Diego, and some lines in other areas were also disabled. 24,992 people lost power, due to the lack of power from the power grid. During the crisis, Mexico provided power to help augment the electrical needs of the San Diego area.{{cite news | url=http://www.csmonitor.com/2007/1026/p01s09-ussc.html | title=From far and wide, helpers pour into a fire-stricken San Diego | publisher=The Christian Science Monitor | date=October 26, 2007|access-date=2007-10-28}}

Authorities said that the evacuation, of more than 900,000 people, was the largest in the history of California.{{cite news | url=http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-evacuate24oct24,0,627804.story?coll=la-home-center | title=Scale of the fires' disruption on display at San Diego stadium | newspaper=Los Angeles Times | date=October 23, 2007 | first1=H. G. | last1=Reza | first2=Jill | last2=Leovy | first3=Alex | last3=Pham |access-date=2007-10-23}} By mid-morning on October 22, 2007, thousands of evacuees had taken shelter in Qualcomm Stadium and other locations throughout San Diego. On the afternoon of October 22, 2007, the Marines evacuated some planes from Marine Corps Air Station Miramar to other military bases in California and Arizona.{{cite news | url=http://sosdfireblog.blogspot.com/2007/10/miramar-evacuating-some-aircraft.html | title=Miramar evacuating some aircraft|newspaper=The San Diego Union-Tribune | date=October 22, 2007 | access-date=2007-10-22}} The Navy moved all non-essential personnel from Naval Base San Diego barracks onto nearby vessels to accommodate refugees.{{cite news|title= Military helps fight fires while personnel evacuated|publisher=CNN |date=October 23, 2007|url=http://www.cnn.com/2007/POLITICS/10/23/fire.military/index.html |access-date=2007-10-23}} The San Diego Wild Animal Park moved some animals to the on-site animal hospital for their protection.

The Horno Fire had charred {{convert|6000|acre|km2}} in Camp Pendleton by 4:00 A.M PDT, on October 24, 2007. It caused the closure of Interstate 5 and it also caused Amtrak California to stop Surfliner service between Oceanside and San Clemente. Traffic was diverted to Interstate 15, which had itself been closed earlier.

Illegal migrant workers were endangered by the crisis, sometimes staying at work in the fields in mandatory evacuation zones. Many lived in nearby canyons and distrusted officials.{{cite news | url=https://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=15634399 | title=Fires Highlight Safety Needs of Migrant Workers | publisher=NPR |author=Amy Isackson | date=October 25, 2007|access-date=2007-10-28}} When fleeing the fires, some were arrested, while others were turned away from shelters due to lack of adequate identification.{{cite news | url=http://www.kcbs.com/Immigrants-Step-Out-of-the-Smoke/1141409 | title=Immigrants Step Out of the Smoke | publisher=KCBS | date=October 27, 2007|access-date=2007-10-28}} Some Mexican firefighters expressed concern about their countrymen, while others felt the migrant workers were aware of the risks they were taking.{{cite news | url=http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-bomberosx27oct27,1,4864765.story?coll=la-headlines-california | title=Mexican fire crew joins the fight | newspaper=Los Angeles Times |author=Ari B. Bloomekatz | date=October 27, 2007|access-date=2007-10-28}} coyotehowls

Only a few cases of looting were documented. Six people were arrested for stealing supplies from Qualcomm stadium,{{cite news | url=http://sosdfireblog.blogspot.com/2007/10/illegal-immigrants-arrested-for.html | title=Illegal immigrants suspected of stealing supplies |newspaper=The San Diego Union-Tribune |date=October 24, 2007|access-date=2007-10-24}} another was arrested for theft after being found in possession of stolen goods in the Jamul fire area,{{cite news | url=http://sosdfireblog.blogspot.com/2007/10/another-looting-arrest.html | title=Another looting arrest |newspaper=The San Diego Union-Tribune |date=October 24, 2007|access-date=2007-10-24}} and two were arrested near the Tecate border crossing.{{cite news | url=http://sosdfireblog.blogspot.com/2007/10/two-looting-arrests-in-tecate.html | title=Two looting arrests in Tecate|newspaper=The San Diego Union-Tribune |date=October 24, 2007|access-date=2007-10-24}}

The concentration of particulate matter 10 micrometers and smaller (designated PM10) reached unhealthy levels as a result of the fires. PM10 particles are small enough to enter deep into the lungs, and possibly the bloodstream. San Diego city attorney Michael Aguirre, citing concerns over weather conditions and air quality, urged the city to consider a voluntary evacuation of the entire city.{{cite news| url=http://www.signonsandiego.com/uniontrib/20071024/news_1n24aguirre.html | title=Aguirre wants San Diego evacuated in wake of wildfires | author=Vigil, Jennifer |newspaper=The San Diego Union-Tribune |date=October 24, 2007|access-date=2007-10-24}}

{{Panorama

|image = Image:Wildfires in Eastern San Diego East County 2007.jpg

|fullwidth = 4889

|fullheight = 1040

|caption = Smoke fills the horizon in East San Diego County, October 22, 2007.

|height = 200

}}

File:H-60S Seahawk from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 85.jpg, a plane captain launches an MH-60S Seahawk from Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 85 to conduct operations in support of the California Department of Forestry's efforts in combating the San Diego wildfires.]]

File:Firefighters battle a blaze SoCal October 2007.jpg

Government agencies and volunteers worked together to mitigate the effects of the fires. According to the state of California's Consolidated Response web page, "There are 17 active fires in Southern California. The priority for fighting fires as of 19:30 on October 21 is the Buckweed, Witch, Harris, Canyon, Ranch, Santiago, and Sedgewick Fires."{{cite news | url=http://www.calfires.com/ | title=Southern California Fire Report | work=CalFires.com | publisher=State of California | date=October 22, 2007 | access-date=2007-10-22 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060813192003/http://www.calfires.com/ | archive-date=August 13, 2006 | url-status=dead }} March Air Reserve Base was the primary staging area for relief supplies coordinated by the Federal Emergency Management Agency.

With many businesses and schools closed, some people used their time off to help others. An estimated 10,000 evacuees gathered at Qualcomm Stadium, the largest shelter point in San Diego. Besides food, blankets and water, volunteers provided toys for children, massages, and a live rock and roll performance. CERT teams, in various cities, received their first activation since the program's inception in this region. Trained volunteers provided assistance ranging from coordinating relief, to acting as a fire department auxiliary.{{cite news |date=October 25, 2007 |author= Kelly Strodl |url=http://www.dailypilot.com/articles/2007/10/25/publicsafety/dpt-certused25.txt |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130121080436/http://www.dailypilot.com/articles/2007/10/25/publicsafety/dpt-certused25.txt |url-status=dead |archive-date=January 21, 2013 |title=(lost) |newspaper=Daily Pilot |access-date=2014-02-07}}{{cite web | title=Emergency volunteers' debut lauded | url=http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/metro/wildfires/20071126-9999-1m26cert.html | newspaper=The San Diego Union-Tribune | date=2007-11-26 | access-date=2009-05-12}} Religious groups such as Victim Relief Ministries, Giving Children Hope, Hope Force International, Apostolic World Relief, and the Salvation Army opened places of worship, donated supplies, and fed workers and evacuees.{{cite news| url=http://www.kansascity.com/255/story/334574.html | title=Faith community reaches out to fire victims |newspaper=The Kansas City Star |date=26 October 2007|access-date=2007-10-28 }}{{dead link|date=November 2019|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}{{cite news| url=https://www.foxnews.com/story/religious-group-offers-gentle-comfort-to-wildfire-victims | title=Religious Group Offers Gentle Comfort to Wildfire Victims |publisher=Fox News |date=28 October 2007|access-date=2007-10-28}}

The Department of Defense contributed twelve engines for firefighting efforts. The National Guard called more than 2,400 troops,{{cite press release | author=LTC Jon Seipmann | title=Press Release 10-17 | url=http://www.calguard.ca.gov/publicaffairs/Pages/PressReleases/October%2007/PressRelease10-17.aspx | publisher=California National Guard | date=2007-10-25 | access-date=2009-05-12 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090509170408/http://www.calguard.ca.gov/publicaffairs/Pages/PressReleases/October%2007/PressRelease10-17.aspx | archive-date=2009-05-09 | url-status=dead }} with 17,000 available if needed; of which 100 California National Guard medical personnel provided medical assistance. Six crews from the Navy's Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 85 based at Naval Air Station North Island were assigned to battle the Witch Creek fire. They flew MH-60 Seahawk helicopters equipped with a 420-gallon water bucket and they were the only local Navy teams trained to fight fires from the air. Marine Corps Air Station Miramar contributed several aircraft as well as fire fighting trucks to operations based in Ramona.{{cite news | url=http://legacy.utsandiego.com/news/military/20071022-1752-bn22helos.html | title=Six Navy copter crews helping fight wildfires |newspaper=The San Diego Union-Tribun e|date=October 22, 2007|access-date=2014-06-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121012135800/http://legacy.utsandiego.com/news/military/20071022-1752-bn22helos.html | url-status=dead |archive-date=2012-10-12}} One of the larger airtankers, the Martin Mars, sent through a private contract from its home in Port Alberni, British Columbia on October 25, landed on Lake Elsinore in Riverside County, California. It has a 7,000 gallon capacity. Two other airtankers and their crews from Quebec worked on the fires, part of an annual three-month contract with the state of California.{{cite news |url=http://www.wellandtribune.ca/2007/10/24/privately-owned-bc-water-bomber-to-help-fight-california-fires| title=Privately owned B.C. water bomber flying to fight California fires | publisher=CBC News | date=October 23, 2007 | access-date=2014-06-12|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714203133/http://www.wellandtribune.ca/2007/10/24/privately-owned-bc-water-bomber-to-help-fight-california-fires|url-status=dead|archive-date=2014-07-14}}

California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger declared a state of emergency in seven California counties where fires burned. President George W. Bush concurred and visited the region on Thursday, October 25, 2007.{{cite news |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/id/wbna21435512 |title=Bush promises aid for victims of California fires |agency=Associated Press |date=October 23, 2007|access-date=2007-10-23}}

Rep. Duncan Hunter criticized state fire officials for delaying the use of Marine helicopters until CalFire spotters were in position to coordinate their efforts. However, California Fire Marshal Kate Dargan said that the Marines and officials at CalFire were following procedures worked out with the military after serious problems with air coordination during the 2003 California wildfires. Other state officials also praised the federal response. Aaron McLear, a spokesman for Schwarzenegger, said the governor "is getting everything he needs from the federal government".{{cite news |url=http://sosdfireblog.blogspot.com/2007/10/did-state-delay-marine-copters.html | title=Did the state delay Marine copters? |newspaper=The San Diego Union-Tribune | date=October 23, 2007 | access-date=2007-10-23}}

NBC Nightly News reported that with the evacuations reaching about 950,000 people, this was the largest peacetime movement of Americans since the Civil War era,{{cite news |url=https://www.usnews.com/usnews/politics/bulletin/bulletin_071024.htm |work=U.S. News & World Report |date=2007-10-24 |title=USNews.com Political Bulletin |access-date=2007-10-24}} although similar evacuation figures were cited for Hurricane Rita{{cite news | url=http://www.state.tx.us/page.jsp?language=eng&pageId=hurricane-rita | title=Hurricane Rita Information | work=Texas Online | publisher=State of Texas | access-date=2007-10-24 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071026013939/http://www.state.tx.us/page.jsp?language=eng&pageId=hurricane-rita | archive-date=2007-10-26 | url-status=dead }} and Hurricane Katrina.{{cite news |url=http://www.cnn.com/2005/WEATHER/08/28/hurricane.katrina/ |title=New Orleans braces for monster hurricane |publisher=CNN |date=August 29, 2005}}

On November 6, 2007, the state of California reported that the fires were under control. On November 9, the last vole of wildfires were finally contained. According to the state's consolidated report on the fires, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger "called on the Blue Ribbon Task Force to assess the next steps to take at federal, state and local levels of government to prevent and fight future fires. Additionally, the Governor asked the task force to review the Governor’s Blue Ribbon Fire Commission’s recommendations, generated after the 2003 fires, to evaluate if the recommendations are still the best and most effective ways in preventing and fighting fires."{{cite news | url=http://www.calfires.com/ | title=Governor Calls on Blue Ribbon Task Force to Review State Fire Response | publisher=State of California | date=November 6, 2007 | access-date=2007-11-06 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060813192003/http://www.calfires.com/ | archive-date=August 13, 2006 | url-status=dead }}

{{Portal|California}}

• Witch Fire
• Recloser
• Corral Fire (2007)
• 2003 California wildfires
• 2008 California wildfires
• May 2014 San Diego County wildfires
• 2017 California wildfires
• October 2017 Northern California wildfires
• December 2017 Southern California wildfires
• List of California wildfires
• Pacific Gas and Electric
• San Diego Gas and Electric
• {{C|Wildfires in California|Wildfires in California-related topics}}
• FIRESCOPE

{{reflist|2}}

{{Commons}}

{{wikinews|Wildfires burn in southern California}}

• [http://www.fire.ca.gov/master_content/downloads/Statewide_Fires_111007_am_96dpi.pdf CalFire map] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20081115050418/http://www.fire.ca.gov/master_content/downloads/Statewide_Fires_111007_am_96dpi.pdf |date=2008-11-15 }}
• [http://www.latimes.com/firemap LA Times managed Google map showing fire locations and relevant information]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20160305103809/http://www.nbcnews.com/id/21436901/ MSNBC managed Virtual Earth map showing fire locations]
• [http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?f=q&hl=en&geocode=&time=&date=&ttype=&ie=UTF8&om=1&msa=0&msid=114250687465160386813.00043d08ac31fe3357571&ll=32.990236,-116.732483&spn=1.105782,1.757813&z=9&source=embed KPBS managed Google map with detailed San Diego area information]
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20071025004901/http://www.sdcountyemergency.com/newsreleases/10242007_1600hrs_Evac_FirePerem.pdf San Diego County map showing evacuated areas]
• [http://www.cbs8.com/misc/fires_oct_07/maps.html CBS 8: San Diego fire maps] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071023233025/http://www.cbs8.com/misc/fires_oct_07/maps.html |date=2007-10-23 }}
• [http://maps.google.com/maps/ms?ie=UTF8&hl=en&msa=0&msid=107327873899641045650.00043d1de33aaa4eb6ffb&om=1&ll=33.716608,-117.675847&spn=0.200187,0.32135&z=12 Orange County Register detailed map of Santiago fire]

• [http://map.sdsu.edu MAP.SDSU.EDU] - mapping, database and geographic information system for the 2003 and 2007 fires, managed by the San Diego GIS force group, and hosted by San Diego State University
• [http://www.sdfirerecovery.net The San Diego Fire Recovery Network] - a Southern California organization which addresses the widespread ecosystem changes in San Diego County caused by the 2003 and 2007 wild fires
• [http://map.sdsu.edu/firenet The GIS Data Center for San Diego Fire Recovery Network] - hosted by San Diego State University
• [https://web.archive.org/web/20071125194433/http://www.radicalurbantheory.com/mdavis/letmalibuburn.html Let Malibu Burn: A political history of the Fire Coast by Mike Davis]
• [http://webarchives.cdlib.org/a/calfires 2007 Southern California Wildfires Web Archive] at the California Digital Library.
• [http://www.10news.com/news/witch-fire-threatens-to-merge-with-poomacha-fire Witch Fire Threatens To Merge With Poomacha Fire] - ABC 10News
• [https://www.cccarto.com/calwildfire/ Southern California's Worst Brush Fires]

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Category:Wildfires in Los Angeles County, California

Category:Wildfires in Ventura County, California

Category:Wildfires in Santa Barbara County, California

Category:Wildfires in Orange County, California

Category:Wildfires in Riverside County, California

Category:Wildfires in San Bernardino County, California

Category:Wildfires in San Diego County, California