Page 6 - lw3443

California Fire Siege
Introduction

Introduction

In late October 2007, Southern California experienced an unusually severe fire weather event characterized
by intense, dry, gusty Santa Ana winds. This weather event drove a series of destructive wildfires that took a
devastating toll on people, property, natural resources, and infrastructure. Although some fires burned into
early November, the heaviest damage occurred during the first three days of the siege while the winds were
the strongest.

During this siege, 17 people lost their lives, 10 were killed by the fires outright, three were killed while
evacuating, four died from other fire siege related causes, and 140 firefighters and an unknown number of
civilians were injured. A total of 3,069 homes and other buildings were destroyed, and hundreds more were
damaged. Hundreds of thousands of people were evacuated at the height of the siege. The fires burned over
half a million acres, including populated areas, wildlife habitat and watershed. Portions of the electrical
power distribution network, telecommunications systems, and even some community water sources were
destroyed. Transportation was disrupted over a large area for several days, including numerous road closures.
Both the Governor of California and the President of the United States personally toured the ongoing fires.
Governor Schwarzenegger proclaimed a state of emergency in seven counties before the end of the first day.
President Bush quickly declared a major disaster. While the total impact of the 2007 fire siege was less than
the disastrous fires of 2003, it was unquestionably one of the most devastating wildfire events in the history
of California.
An untouched home
in the background
stands in contrast
to the destruction
of neighboring
properties.

Kevin Key

Purpose

This report provides a broad, factual overview of the fire siege, documenting key events, providing summary
statistics and serving as a reference for other reviews, investigations, studies and reports.
While firefighters gained control of the fires, a team of state and federal fire specialists gathered information
to develop this factual report to recount the collective response of various organizations to the siege. The
team has attempted to present the complexities of managing a large fire siege, and has included a broad array
of information. The report provides detailed information about the day-to-day tactical firefighting effort, as
well as the numerous social and political considerations that influenced strategic decisions.
This report is not an in-depth analysis and assessment of specific fire events, as these issues will be addressed
in other efforts that will continue for several years.

6