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Monday, October 29, 2007

California Fire News

Inciweb: Harris Fire - 90,750 - 65% contained

Posted: 28 Oct 2007 12:09 PM CDT

Harris Wildland Fire
Incident Information
Announcements
News
Photographs
Maps
INCIDENT UPDATED 3 HRS. AGO

Harris Fire Map 10/26/07
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Summary
This fire has burned 85,800 acres and is 55 percent contained. The fire started October 21 and is burning at Harris Ranch Road and both sides of Highway 94 in Portrero in San Diego County. There have been 21 civilian and 16 firefighter injuries, as well as one death on this fire. 188 homes, 1 commercial properties and 222 outbuildings have been destroyed, and 252 additional structures are damaged. Damage assessments are still being conducted. 1,500 homes are still threatened.
Evacuation orders remain in effect. Re-entry for residents only was allowed in the Thousand Trails, Potrero and Tecate neighborhoods. Residents are being allowed to re-enter parts of Jamul as well as the area from Otay Lakes Road to Pio Pico Thousand Trails. The communities of Lyons Valley, Lawson Valley, Carve Acres, Portrero, Barrett Junction, Barett Lake area, Engineer Springs, Dulzura, Deerhorn Valley, and Jamul are threatened. 2,068 firefighters are assigned under a unified command. The estimated cost of this fire to date is $7.8 million. Harris Fire Information Line (619) 449-1462.
Residents can get the latest information about the status of the fires by visiting the County of San Diego's Emergency Web site at www.sdcountyemergency.com. Residents should call 2-1-1 for all non-emergency calls related to this fire. Residents may also call the City of San Diego Community Access Phone at 619-570-1070 for additional fire information.
Cal Fire Web Site
Basic Information
Incident Type
Wildland Fire
Cause
Under Investigation
Date of Origin
10/21/2007 at 0930 hrs.
Location
HARRIS RANCH RD & HWY 94, POTRERO
Incident Commander
Howard Windsor
Current Situation
Total Personnel
2,544
Size
90,750 acres
Percent Contained
65%
Estimated Containment Date
10/31/2007 at hrs.
Fuels Involved
BRUSH AND GRASS.
Fire Behavior
Minimal active fire. No other significant spread.
Significant Events
Residents re-entered the fire area. Direct line construction on the north and western portions of the fire. Three engine strike teams have been assigned to the reentry of residents. US Navy Seabees will continue contingency lines in the Lake Marina are and assist in equipment demob. Alternate control lines are being constructed to support the Lawson Valley contingency plan.
Outlook
Planned Actions
Continue search and rescue operations, protect structures, improve control lines, mop up and patrol. Continue damage inspection of burned structures. Complete assessment of fire area for fire suppression rehab needs and begin rehab. Various aerial infrared platforms will fly the fire to identify hot spots and help refine the fire perimeter map.
Projected Movement
The fire will burn in interior islands. Minimal spread is expected depending on the strength of the forecast east wind.
Growth Potential
Low
Terrain Difficulty
High
Containment Target
High confidence. Most of the needed resources are either on scene or en route.
Remarks
CDF Team 9 is in unified command with the Forest Service. 5 civilians have been killed and 21 injured by this fire. Detailed damage assessment is about 95% complete and those numbers are reported in section 24. All crews are meeting agency rest cycle requirements. NORCAL Team 1, a Type 2 federal incident management team, is integrated with CAL FIRE Team 9.
Weather
Current Wind Conditions
3 mph SE
Current Temperature
55 degrees
Current Humidity
42 %

Cal fire news - Editor assigned to Harris Fire

Posted: 28 Oct 2007 12:03 PM CDT

Editor - I apologize to my many loyal readers for the lack of current updates due to my assignment. The Harris fire is winding down rapidly and large Demob as begun, 50 strike teams of engines (250) from from the east coast due to arrive today are being turned around also prior to arrival. This was posted from the Harris Fire camp internet Cafe.