The 3 Biggest Wildfires in San Diego History
Some of the biggest wildfires in the history of San Diego have made national news due to the severity of property damage and fatalities. While many fires are started by human error, nature can ignite them as well. According to National Geographic, “There are three conditions that need to be present in order for a wildfire to burn, which firefighters refer to as the fire triangle: fuel, oxygen, and a heat source. Fuel is any flammable material surrounding a fire, including trees, grasses, brush and even homes. The greater an area’s fuel load, the more intense the fire.”
The Laguna Fire
On September 26, 1970, the Laguna Fire burned 175,425 acres, destroying 382 structures and killing five people. The blaze started near downed power lines during Santa Ana winds. In only 24 hours the fire travelled 30 miles westward. It devastated the communities of Harrison and Crest. The fire was believed to be one of the worst in California history until it was surpassed by the Cedar Fire of 2003.
The Cedar Fire
The Cedar Fire spawned in an area near the Barona Resort and Casino. It was a quiet and serene region that had approximately 12 homes. Around 2 a.m. on October 26, 2003, flames began without warning. Easily fueled by heavy winds and dry bush, the fire spread faster than many local firefighters had seen before. Homes were destroyed in the Country Estates, but there were no deaths. Officials locked patrons inside the casino where the golf course and large parking lot acted as buffers, keeping those citizens safe.
Unfortunately, there wasn’t time to warn the residents of Wildcat Canyon Road who ran from Ramona into Lakeside. In the more remote areas, no one came to help. Four people died there, and four more died at a residence that had been occupied for decades. There were a total of eight fatalities, 273,246 acres burned, and 2,232 homes destroyed. Since the fire, only two families have returned to that area. Homes have been rebuilt in Alpine, Crest, and Dehesa in Julian, as well as Ramona, Poway, Scripps Ranch, and Tierrasanta.
The Witch Creek Fire
In 2007, San Diego saw another wildfire in the Witch Creek area, near Ramona. The fire started on October 21, 2007. It destroyed 1,125 residential structures and 509 outbuildings and damaged 77 residential structures and 25 outbuildings. There were 40 firefighter injuries and two civilian deaths. In all, there were 197,990 acres burned. After the fire, there were more than 2,500 lawsuits against the San Diego Gas and Electric, whose power lines were blamed as the start of the blaze.
Families who live in these areas need to take precautions. This not only includes having an escape plan, but making sure homes in high risk areas are properly maintained. It is also helpful to know what to expect. By studying past wildfires, homeowners can plan ahead accordingly.
Related:
Reduce your home’s fire risk during a wildfire
How To Create a Wildfire Evacuation Plan