Spread of the flames
All the ingredients for disaster came together last Sunday. A massive high-pressure system moved across the western United States, and Santa Ana winds began to howl at speeds sometimes reaching hurricane force as they squeezed through the canyons and passes of Southern California. A year of record-low precipitation had created a tinderbox, and all it took was a spark from a downed power line or a careless welder to ignite blazes that were quickly blown into firestorms that spread across the region. Before the winds died down late in the week, massive blazes had charred thousands of acres between Ventura County and the Mexican border.
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A look at how the fires progressed:
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Fire detected by satellites at various intervals each day. Fire must be of sufficient heat and duration to be detected.
SUNDAY
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Northern L.A. County
High winds fan damaging blazes near Castaic, Agua Dulce and Santa Clarita and in the canyons near the Pepperdine campus in Malibu.
ACRES: More than 26,000 INJURED: 4 DEAD: 0
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San Bernardino County
Two small fires near the San Bernardino National Forest are contained. The Arrowhead fires have yet to break out.
ACRES: 4 INJURED: 0 DEAD: 0
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Orange County
The 241 toll road is closed as the Santiago Canyon fire, later blamed on an arsonist, quickly spreads.
ACRES: 3,800 INJURED: 0 DEAD: 0
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Northern San Diego County
The Witch fire starts near Ramona, just north of the site of the massive 2003 Cedar fire.
ACRES: 8,000 INJURED: 0 DEAD: 0
Southern San Diego County
Along the Mexican border, the Harris fire claims the Southland blazes’ first victim, Thomas Varshock of Potrero.
ACRES: 14,000 INJURED: 18 DEAD: 1
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MONDAY
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Northern L.A. County
The Buckweed and Ranch fires explode, engulfing more than 75,000 acres and forcing the evacuation of more than 15,000 people. New fires ignite near Santa Clarita. In Malibu, the Canyon fire burns mostly through brush.
ACRES: 81,550 INJURED: 4 DEAD: 0
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San Bernardino County
High winds quickly spread fires near Lake Arrowhead and Green Valley Lake, incinerating 140 homes and threatening nearly 1,500.
ACRES: 2,750 INJURED: 0 DEAD: 0
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Orange County
Sweeping south, the fire grows to more than 15,000 acres and injures four firefighters as it threatens Irvine. Foothill Ranch is evacuated. ACRES: 15,160 INJURED: 4 DEAD: 0
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Northern San Diego County
The Witch fire races west to Escondido, Poway and Rancho Bernardo, destroying 500 homes. Smaller fires start in Rice Canyon and Coronado Hills. A gigantic evacuation effort sends thousands fleeing to safety.
ACRES: 146,719 INJURED: 1 DEAD: 0
Southern San Diego County
The Harris fire spreads across the border, threatening Tecate in Mexico. A total of 100 commercial properties are destroyed.
ACRES: 22,000 INJURED: 20 DEAD: 1
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TUESDAY
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Northern L.A. County
The Buckweed fire spreads to San Francisquito Canyon. The number of homes destroyed climbs above 20, but progress is made in the battle against other blazes.
ACRES: 91,202 INJURED: 7 DEAD: 0
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San Bernardino County
Mandatory evacuation orders empty the Arrowhead area. Fires ravage the mountain towns of Fredalba and Running Springs.
ACRES: 9,925 INJURED: 0 DEAD: 0
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Orange County
The fire shifts to the east, burning 11 homes in Modjeska Canyon. The collision of Santa Ana and coastal winds hampers containment efforts. ACRES: 18,000 INJURED: 4 DEAD: 0
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Northern San Diego County
As the Witch fire grows an additional 40%, it threatens to join the expanding Poomacha fire to the north. Severe winds prevent air support.
ACRES: 228,261 INJURED: 18 DEAD: 0
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Southern San Diego County
Border crossers caught in the blaze are treated in San Diego burn units as the Harris fire rapidly expands. Hundreds of structures are destroyed.
ACRES: 70,000 INJURED: 25 DEAD: 1
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THROUGH SATURDAY
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Northern L.A. County
Dying winds allow containment of the Malibu and Buckweed fires, and firefighters are shuttled south to San Diego.
ACRES: 104,146 INJURED: 7 DEAD: 0
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San Bernardino County
Firefighters begin to contain the Grass Valley fire, but hundreds of homes are destroyed in the Slide fire around Green Valley Lake.
ACRES: 14,319 INJURED: 0 DEAD: 0
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Orange County
Air support arrives, but nine more homes are burned and eight are damaged near the Cleveland National Forest.
ACRES: 27,521 INJURED: 4 DEAD: 0
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Northern San Diego County
With more than 900 homes burned, the Witch fire becomes one of the worst in state history as it combines with the Poomacha, endangering the Palomar Observatory.
ACRES: 275,018 INJURED: 35 DEAD: 2
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Southern San Diego County
Wind conditions improve enough to allow 65% containment by week’s end. Many towns, including Potrero and Tecate, remain under evacuation orders until Saturday.
ACRES: 86,500 INJURED: 33 DEAD: 5
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Note: Fire locations and readings taken by satellite. Latest readings are as of 1:30 pm Friday.
Sources: L.A. County Fire Department, Times reporting, U.S. Forest Service Remote Sensing Application Center; Census Bureau
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