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California Fire Siege
Prelude to the Siege

Prelude to the Siege 2007

Rainfall totals for the winter of 2006-2007 were far below average, leaving Southern California far drier than
normal at the beginning of the 2007 fire season. Conditions were particularly dry at higher elevations, prompting
concern for potentially severe fires. Early “green-up” of vegetation at mid-and-higher elevations produced lower
than normal peak Live Fuel Moisture (LFM). The annual drying cycle began in May, and by June, moisture levels
in live and dead vegetation were declining one-to-two months ahead of normal. LFM’s fell below the critical level
of 60% by July. By early September they had fallen to the mid-50-to upper-40 percentiles.

January 11, 2007
An Arctic cold front swept through the state, killing native and ornamental vegetation, creating an above-
average volume of dead fuels in the Wildland Urban Interface.

January 29, 2007
The Building Standards Commission adopted the updated California Building and Fire Codes. This new
code requires ignition-resistant construction for new building in State Responsibility Area (SRA) and
Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zones in Local Responsibility Area (LRA).
Insect damage and drought stress combined to produce visible mortality in upland forests. Lower
elevation coastal areas trended closer to normal in terms of moisture due to marine influences. Heavy
frost in January 2007, caused considerable die-back of vegetation in Ventura, Orange, and San Diego
counties.

March 11, 2007
The 241 Fire was reported along State Route 241 near the Wind Ridge Toll Plaza in Orange County.
Influenced by high winds, high temperatures, and low humidity, this unusually early fire event burned
2,036 acres in less than three hours. One residence was damaged and two outbuildings were destroyed.

May 8, 2007
The Griffith Park Fire burned 817 acres in Los Angeles City. High power transmission lines were
destroyed causing a loss of power to local neighborhoods. Over 400 structures and the Observatory were
threatened. Fire caused the evacuation of over 1,000 people from the Los Angeles Zoo, Golf Course,
Gene Autry Museum, Zoo Magnet School, and Griffith Park Boys Camp.

May 9, 2007
Governor Schwarzenegger issued an executive order directing CAL FIRE to mobilize additional resources
and to work closely with federal, state, and local government agencies to maximize fire fighting and
prevention capabilities within California.

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