Southern California Firefighters Continue Their Nine Day BattleMonday, October 29, 2007 - 08:30 AM
Bill Johnson
MML News Director
Riverside, CA -- Southern California firefighters are racing to gain control of seven fires not yet 100% contained before Santa Ana winds possibly strike later this week.
According to CAL FIRE officials seven of the 23 remaining fires remain less than 100% contained. The largest fire in that group is the 198,000 acre Witch Fire in San Diego County. This fire is 90% contained with full containment expected tomorrow. 2,313 firefighters are on site. This fire has destroyed 1,040 homes and 239 vehicles and taken the lives of two civilians. The cost of fighting this fire to date stands at $13 million. The second largest fire is the Harris Fire also in San Diego County. This fire has burned 90,750 acres and is 70% contained. The Harris Fire has taken the lives of five civilians. Updated cost of fighting this fire is $11.3 million.
The Ranch Fire in Los Angeles County has burned 58,400 acres and is 97% contained. The Pooomacha Fire in San Diego County is 50% contained. It has burned 49,150 acres with the cost standing at $6.8 million.
The arson-set Santiago Fire in Orange County has now burned 28,000 acres. It is 65% contained. The cost; $7.9 million.
In San Bernardino County the $8 million Slide Fire has burned 12,800 acres. It is 85% contained while the Grass Valley Fire, also in San Bernardino County, has scorched 1,247 acres. The $4.6 million fire is 95% contained.
Total acreage of these seven fires is 438,350. The cost of fighting these fires through Sunday evening has been posted at $51.6 million.
Written by bill.johnson@mlode.com
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