October Fire Causes

As of November 19, investigators for CAL FIRE have released the following causes for the rash of wind driven fires that started between October 21 and October 23.

The Harris Fire cause is undetermined. The Harris Fire burned 90,440 acres, destroyed 548 structures valued at more than $28 million, and cost taxpayers $21 million in suppression costs. There were eight civilian fatalities and 40 firefighter injuries.

The Witch, Guejito and Rice Fires were determined to be caused by powerlines. The Witch Fire burned 197,990 acres, destroyed 1,650 structures valued at more than $236 million, and cost taxpayers $18 million in suppression costs. There were two civilian fatalities and 40 firefighters injured. The Witch Fire burned together with the Guejito Fire. The Rice Fire burned 9,472 acres, destroyed 248 structures valued at more than $30 million, and cost taxpayers $6.5 million in suppression costs. There were six firefighters injured.

The Poomacha Fire was started by a structure fire, which spread to the brush. The cause of the structure fire is undetermined. The Poomacha Fire burned 49,410 acres and destroyed 217 structures valued at more than $5 million. Suppression costs totaled $21 million. There were injuries to 15 firefighters.

The Witch Fire is the second largest fire in San Diego history, the Harris Fire is the fifth largest and the Poomacha Fire is the twelfth largest. The 2003 Cedar Fire remains the largest fire in County history, as well as California history.