Wildfire — Riverside County Mountains, California

2006-10-26 to 2006-10-30 · Riverside County Mountains, California

Wider weather episode

The Esperanza Fire was intentionally set during the early morning hours of the 26th at the foot of the San Jacinto Mountains near Cabazon. Weather conditions during the onset of the fire were typical of a Santa Ana wind event with gusty east to northeast winds and relative humidity values of less than 10%. Red Flag conditions and abundant dry fuels resulted in the rapid spread of the fire westward through the Banning Pass and up the steep slopes of the San Jacinto Mountains. Observed rates of spread were 20 mph on level terrain and 40 mph where steep terrain and gusty winds aligned. The fire destroyed 34 homes and 20 outbuildings and resulted in an estimated $10.3 million in damage. Five firefighters were overtaken by the flames while trying to protect a house in Twin Pines near Poppet Flats. Three of the firefighters were killed at the scene, the fourth firefighter died while in route to the hospital, and the fifth firefighter died 5 days later at the hospital. The Santa Ana wind event peaked the following day before finally turning onshore with lighter winds and higher humidity on the 29th through the 30th.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 2683. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.