Wildfire — Orange, California

2002-02-09 to 2002-02-10 · near Anaheim, Orange, California

Wider weather episode

Santa Ana winds began on the morning of 2/9/02, they diminished slightly during the following night, but then increased in strength the following morning, peaking around midday on 2/10/02. Three semi-tractor trailer rigs were blown over on Interstates 15, 215 and 8 the first day, and another that night. These blocked most of the traffic lanes in both directions and could not be cleared until the following afternoon due to the strong winds. Blowing dust and sand further disrupted traffic by reducing visibility to near zero and sandblasting windshields. Signs, trees, power poles, and fences were blown down in many communities. The roofs of several houses were damaged. Twelve million pounds of avocado were blown off of trees in north San Diego County. The high winds also caused the numerous brush fires, started by downed power lines, to grow rapidly in the high winds. One that began in the Santa Ana Mountains west of Corona, spread quickly westward, jumped a highway, and burned 2400 acres before containment. Only a few outbuildings were damaged. Another wildfire, just south of the U.S. border, in eastern Tijuana, killed a 20 year old woman and destroyed 50 houses. The largest wild fire, named the Gavilan Fire, consumed 5783 acres between Fallbrook and Camp Pendleton before it could be contained three days later. It destroyed 44 houses, 40 vehicles (including two fire engines), 49 outbuildings; caused structural damage to 14 houses; and injured 12 residents and 7 fire fighters. Several avocado orchards, containing thousands of trees, were destroyed.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 5283686. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.