Santiago Fire

The Santiago Fire was a wildfire located near Santiago Canyon in Orange County, California, U.S., and one of thirty California wildfires of October 2007. The fire was intentionally started.[2]

Not to be confused with the Santiago Canyon Fire of 1889, the fifth-largest wildfire in Californian history
Santiago Fire
LocationSouth Orange County, California
Coordinates33°44′56″N 117°40′19″W
Statistics[1]
CostAt least $21.6 million (2007 USD)
Date(s)October 21, 2007 – November 9, 2007
5:55 PM
Burned area28,445 acres (115 km2)
CauseArson
Buildings destroyed16 residential structures
9 outbuildings
DeathsNone reported
Non-fatal injuries16 firefighters
Perpetrator(s)Arsonist

The Fire

The blaze originated near Santiago Canyon Road at the border of Santiago Canyon and Silverado Canyon at 5:55 p.m. on October 21, 2007,[3] and burned approximately 28,445 acres (115 km2).[3] The flames threatened roughly 750 homes located throughout canyons in the area, including both Santiago and Silverado Canyon, Live Oak Canyon, Holy Jim Canyon, Modjeska Canyon, and Trabuco Canyon, among others. Twelve houses were destroyed in Santiago Canyon. In Foothill Ranch, the Santiago Canyon Estates, and Portola Hills, the fire reached the back yards of houses, but no homes were destroyed in those three neighborhoods.

The fire was fully contained on November 9, after reaching 28,400 acres (115 km2).[1][3] According to Mike Rohde, a battalion chief with the Orange County Fire Authority, controlling the fire depended solely on the wind, saying at the time, "If the wind stays normal, everything will be fine." Had it not, it would have been a "totally different story."[4]

The fire moved into the Cleveland National Forest and crossed the path of the Santa Ana Mountains, singeing the slopes. According to the 1,100 firefighters who battled the blaze, the air conditions changed from the tumultuous Santa Ana winds to lower temperatures, more humidity, and more gentle onshore winds. The fire affected Irvine, Santiago Canyon, Silverado Canyon, Modjeska Canyon, Trabuco Canyon, Foothill Ranch, and Portola Hills.[4]

Response
Firefighters battle the blaze

California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger declared a state of emergency in several California counties where fires were ongoing.[5] President George W. Bush furthered the response effort in the state by ordering federal assistance to aid with state and local efforts.[6] The firemen were aided by units of the United States Armed Forces[7] and United States National Guard.[8]

A $250,000 reward is offered to anyone with information on the suspected arsonist(s), as the fire has been confirmed as being initiated by arson with two separate points of origin.[9] According to Fire Authority Chief Chip Prather, "The person or people who did this are exceptionally lucky or they have some knowledge of when they can do the most damage when you set a fire."[4]

See also

References
  1. "Santiago Fire Incident Information". CalFire. November 9, 2007. Retrieved December 9, 2017.
  2. "Officials: Arson Behind Santiago Fire". CBS.com. 2007-10-25. pp. 1–2. Retrieved 2007-10-26.
  3. "Santiago Incident". Orange County Fire Authority. 2007-10-27. Archived from the original on 2007-10-27. Retrieved 2007-10-27.
  4. "In Silverado Canyon, a new cliffhanger". Los Angeles Times. 2007-10-26. Retrieved 2007-10-26.
  5. Archibold, Randal C. (2007-10-23). "Residents Flee Wildfires in S. California". New York Times. Retrieved 2007-10-28.
  6. "Statement on Federal Disaster Assistance for California" (Press release). The White House. 2007-10-23. Retrieved 2007-10-28.
  7. "Six Navy copter crews helping fight wildfires". SignOnSanDiego.com. San Diego Union Tribune. October 22, 2007. Retrieved 2007-10-28.
  8. "Military helps fight fires while personnel evacuated". CNN.com. October 23, 2007. Retrieved 2007-10-28.
  9. Fire chief: 25,000-acre (101 km2) blaze was set, CNN.com. Retrieved on 2007-10-27.
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