Witch Wildland Fire
Summary
This fire has burned 196,420 acres and is one percent contained. Mandatory evacuations are in place for the community of Julian. Pine Hills is also threatened. 805 homes, 100 commercial properties, and 50 outbuildings have been destroyed. 375 homes, 75 commercial properties and 50 outbuildings have been damaged. 5,000 residences, 1,500 commercial properties, and 300 outbuildings are currently threatened. 12 firefighters have been injured on this fire. A CAL FIRE Incident Command Team is in command of this incident with 1,841 firefighters assigned. Wildcat Canyon is closed. Highway 67 is closed from Poway to Ramona. The estimated cost of this fire to date is $2.3 million. Witch Fire Information Line (619) 590-3160.
Basic Information
| Incident Type | Wildland Fire |
|---|---|
| Cause | Under Investigation |
| Date of Origin | 10/21/2007 at 1235 hrs. |
| Location | Witch Creek area, East of Ramona |
| Incident Commander | Pat Kerschen |
Current Situation
| Total Personnel | 2,331 |
|---|---|
| Size | 196,240 acres |
| Percent Contained | 20% |
| Fuels Involved | Timber (grass and understory) Fuel model 2, 4, & 5. Oak woodlands and brush are also involved. |
| Fire Behavior | Fire continues to burn within and around structures with moderate to high intensity. General pattern improving with the change to the on shore flow. Continue to see perimeter growth on the eastern side of the fire. Fire is burning in mature heavy brush and four year old brush from the 2003 fire siege. |
| Significant Events | Progress on containment has been favorable. Conditions have improved to the point of evaluating the return of residents to the communities of Poway, Escondido, Rancho Santa Fe and Rancho Bernardo. |
Outlook
| Planned Actions | Continue to protect life, property and the environment where possible. Securing perimeter is a high priority. |
|---|---|
| Projected Movement | Fire will continue to move east threatening the communities of Julian and Pine Hills. Fire has potential to move north and join the Poomacha Fire. Fire spread to west and southwest is still a potential. |
| Growth Potential | Extreme |
| Terrain Difficulty | High |
| Containment Target | Containment efforts are showing positive results. Requested resources have arrived and changes in weather pattern will both help achieve management strategy. |
| Remarks | CAL FIRE Team #10 is in Unified Command of the incident. Base Camp is established at Kit Carson Park (Kit Carson & Bear Valley Parkway, Escondido). Resources continue to arrive and are put to work on the incident immediately. Changes in weather will assist fire suppression efforts. |
Weather
| Current Wind Conditions | 7-15 mph E |
|---|---|
| Current Temperature | 90 degrees |
| Current Humidity | 9 % |
Any chance that the Witch fire will move in the direction of the communities on North Peak (i.e. Cuyamaca Woods and Lake Cuyamaca)? These communities are located SE of Pine Hills.
ReplyDeleteWitch Fire Information
ReplyDelete(619) 590-3160
From Inciweb: Fire will continue to move east threatening the communities of Julian and Pine Hills. Fire has potential to move north and join the Poomacha Fire. Fire spread to west and southwest is still a potential.
FYI
ReplyDeleteThe latest county map (10/24 @1030) http://www.sdcountyemergency.com/new..._FirePerem.pdf shows a finger of active fire pointing straight at Lake Cuyamaca. It looks like it might be moving up the Boulder Creek drainage towards Cuyamaca Woods and Cuyamaca. I hope I'm wrong.