Wildfire — W Riverside T X Nw, California

2004-05-03 to 2004-05-04 · W Riverside T X Nw, California

Wider weather episode

Hot and dry conditions were present for several days before and after these five fires broke out. Afternoon temperatures were over 100 degrees. The relative humidity ranged from less than 10 percent during the day to only 25 percent at night. The India fire, about 5 miles west of Fallbrook, was started by live ordinance practice on the Camp Pendleton Marine Base. It burned 1900 acres but no structures. The cost of fighting this fire was estimated at $735,000. The Eagle fire, started about 5 miles southeast of Temecula. It burned 8,900 acres and destroyed 14 residences and 27 outbuildings east of Murrieta. The fire fighting cost was $4.9 million. The School fire broke out about 13 miles east of Temecula. It burned about 377 acres but no strucutres. The Gafford fire broke out 4 miles southeast of Lake Elsinore. It burned about 375 acres and one structure. The Cerrito fire, started by sparks from a metal object being drug across pavement, burned 16,460 acres from north of Lake Elsinore to the city limits of Perris. It destroyed 14 residences and 10 outbuildings. The fire fighting cost for this fire was $2.3 million.

Source: NOAA Storm Events Database, event_id 5394294. Narrative written by the NWS forecast office that issued the report.