The document discusses wildfires that occurred in San Diego County in October 2006. It provides details on the causes of the fires such as drought conditions, high winds knocking down power lines, arson and accidental fires from equipment and children playing with matches. It also lists several major fires, including the Witch Creek Fire that destroyed over 1,000 homes and burned nearly 198,000 acres. The recommendations call for changes to fire suppression policies to reduce fuel buildup, better planning of communities to reduce fire risk, and continued education to prevent human-caused fires.

1. San Diego Wildfires Meghan Caldwell, Christa Cardish, Krista Malewicz and Franchel Mendoza

2. San Diego Community San Diego is a large community with a population of about 2.5-3 million in 2006. In 2006 there were about 1,200,000 households. It is the seventh largest city in the United States.

3. Community Profile One of the most popular industries in San Diego is the educational services/ health care industry. There is some poverty in San Diego, but many of the people are well off. in 2006, there were about 70,000 people who were unemployed.

4. Area Profile San Diego has various landforms San Diego is a bay and has miles of shorelines. Also mountains, fertile valleys, canyons and dense forests. Climate consists of cooler summers and warmer winters Due to the winds off of the Pacific Ocean

5. Wildfires: Causes There are many contributions to forest fires, both due to humans and natural causes. Man’s negligence Forces of nature Earthquakes (1906 San Francisco earthquake) Arson Weather (temperature, humidity, precipitation, and wind)

6. Causes in San Diego Major contributing climate factors to the extreme fire conditions were drought, hot weather, and unusually strong winds. Several fires were triggered by power lines damaged by the high winds. One fire started by a overturned semi-truck Another was reported deliberately caused A 10-year-old boy admitted that he accidentally started the Buckweed Fire playing with matches.

7. 77 outbuildings 100% 21 firefighters 143 homes 50,176 acres (203.06 km²) October 23 at 3:13 a.m. Poomacha (Palomar Mountain/Valley Center) 21 civilians 253 structures damaged 34 firefighters 252 outbuildings 100% 5 deaths 206 homes 90,440 acres (366 km²) October 21 at 9:30 a.m. Harris 25 outbuildings damaged 70 homes damaged 2 civilians 239 vehicles 39 firefighters 414 outbuildings 100% 2 deaths 1040 homes 197,990 acres (801 km²) October 21 at 11:00 a.m. Witch (Creek) Containment Injuries Structures destroyed Area burned Date / time started Fire name San Diego County

8. 100% 100 acres (0.40 km²) 23-Oct Wilcox 100% on Oct. 22 2 outbuildings 250 acres (1.01 km²) October 22 at 1:50 a.m. Coronado Hills 1 outbuilding 100% 1 residence 300 acres (1.21 km²) 21-Oct McCoy 40 outbuildings 2 commercial properties 100% 5 firefighters 206 homes 9,000 acres (36.4 km²) October 22 at 4:16 a.m. Rice 100% 6 firefighters 21,084 acres (85.32 km²) 24-Oct Horno/Ammo Containment Injuries Structures destroyed Area burned Date / time started Fire name San Diego County

9. Recommendations It is important to understand that wildfires may occur as a natural process. It can be a way that the environment can cleanse itself. The key is to look at long term solutions . These solutions will place an emphasis on the root causes of extreme wildfires and how to minimize the impact on communities

10. Recommendations Make a change in fire suppression policies. North American forest management policies and practices have had the unfortunate consequence of creating conditions that make forest fires burn hotter and more severe. During this time, fires have been put out as quickly as possible in order to “protect” timber and private property. The problem is that this allows dead plant matter (dead trees, fallen branches, leaves, small shrubs, brush) to collect on the ground. So instead of small fires that occur frequently, we end up with large fires that create incredible damage.”

11. Recommendations There must be a change to how we design our communities. More and more people are moving further and further into forested areas ‘ wildland-urban interface:’ increases the chance of contact with fire and reduces firefighting resources. Continuation of education on how to prevent man-made fires and a stronger effort to prevent climate change.

12. Blog Sociological aim is to look at how communities are designed and the role of human domination vs. nature domination. Communities are no longer feeling disconnected from nature because natural disasters are on the increase. Organizations and aid. Blog: San Diego Wildfires