In October of 2007, wildfires around San Diego, California, consumed over 500,000 acres of land, causing multiple injuries and seven deaths. Over 500,000 people were evacuated from the area during the largest evacuation in California history.
Quote
"There's a lot of people hurting here. But there's a lot more helping. I can tell you there's no color barrier to pain. This is a life-changing event. You see and hear different languages and colors here, and none of this means anything because we're all hurting or helping."—Evacuated San Diego resident Edward Sherlock LA Times: Scale of the fires' disruption on display at San Diego stadium (October 24, 2007)
San Diego Fire Images and Media
Flickr: Witch Fire photoset
Creative Commons image by stavrosjk5min.com: California Wildfires Viewed from Space (Time: 1:04)
YouTube: San Diego Fires (Time: 9:29)
SignOnSanDiego: Witch Fire (Ramona area) Gallery
References
Fast Facts
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Fact:
Over 2,700 homes and businesses were damaged or destroyed
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Fires were exacerbated by the strong Santa Ana Winds
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President George W. Bush declared the area a federal disaster zone
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Fact:
Nearly 5,000 firefighters were involved in fighting the fires
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1,500 National Guard troops were deployed to assist firefighters
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At least 42 people, including 16 firefighters, were injured in the fires
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Fact:
Looters were apprehended in several evacuated areas
