Just when you thought it was safe to restack the firewood. Last Wednesday we were seriously reminded that Fire Season is year-round. We've been fortunate this year.
SAN DIEGO UNION-TRIBUNE—
CHANNEL TEN NEWS—
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| The view from Bratton Valley / Sierra Cielo area looking south to Eagle's Roost/Bratton Peak |
SO WHAT CAUSED IT? INQUIRING MINDS WANT TO KNOW
We've all been wondering about the cause of the fire that broke out about 2 PM near Deerhorn Valley Rd and Honey Springs. I reached out to a local (unnamed) friend who is far more knowledgeable than I am about these things. Their thoughts are interesting:
The cause of a fire is always a big Q. They might say right away in the UT, and then again they might not have it determined by then. An obvious cause such as a camp fire that sparks out in mid day when the wind picks up with no one obvious to blame, they will come right out with the cause. But if they think there might be a chance to charge someone for negligence —or worse— it could take weeks to go through the legal channels. Officials do that now days with the premise of sending a bill to the guilty party— a bill that would probably bankrupt most folks.
I estimate the cost of today's 4-hour fire to be $150K to $200K based on 25+ vehicles, wages for 60+ people, 2 copters in the air for 3 hours each, two runs by a bomber from Ramona + materials and reloading, 4+ hours spotter plane in the air, and 6-8 Sheriffs.
The house seemed to be close to the start of the fire. I spotted the smoke within a minute of it starting and it was always the white to brownish white smoke of a chaparral fire and not the black of a structural fire.
The following are some photos of Wednesday's Fire. The first two are from the Channel Ten coverage, and the rest from neighbors. We are so fortunate the winds weren't extreme, and there were fire units here to battle it.
BIG SHOUT OUT TO OUR FIRE FIGHTERS AND THEIR SUCCESS AT THIS FULL-WILDLAND RESPONSE!
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| If an evacuation was necessary in the case of wildfire, our Deerhorn Valley Road could be impassable. It's important to know what to do if you are trapped and can't evacuate. |
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| Two copters, one tanker, and a fixed wing spotter plane were called in to support the ground crews. |
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| A good shot from Bratton Valley area |
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| Traffic was stopped at Honey Springs and HWY 94 below the fire, and near the Deerhorn Fire Station above the fire. |
