Prevention Burn Support Events Volunteers Holiday Safety Summer Camp Fire Expo 2007 Wolowsky & Johnson Hottest Ever, raising $300,000 for the 3 7 8 Burn Institute 10 http://www.burninstitute.org VOLUME 41, NUMBER 3 FALL / WINTER 2007 MEGA ISSUE Photo: Sean M. Haffey for the San Diego Union-Tribune Destruction & Tears: 2007 Wildfires Scorch SD County he inferno swept through hillsides, canyons Fire began near the Mexican Border in the rural leave their homes. Many residents took refuge in area and neighborhoods from Santa Barbara to the community of Portrero, and rapidly burned to the north shelters; others joined an estimated 20,000 of their TMexican Border with little to no warning. Flames and west. The Witch Creek fire began the next morning, closest neighbors at Qualcomm Stadium. Officials fanned by record Santa Ana winds and encouraged by and burned a huge area of northern San Diego County. used a computerized Reverse 911 phone system to the drought-dry conditions took San Diego County and All told, homes were destroyed in several communities alert residents when it was time to leave. Firefighters its Southern California neighbors by surprise, leading to including: Del Dios, Dulzura, Escondido, Fallbrook, with bullhorns took to neighborhoods to make sure devastating loss and rivaling that of the Cedar Fire that Jamul, Portrero, Poway, Ramona, Rancho Bernardino everyone was out. The erratic winds made evacuation flattened the region just four years earlier – almost to and Rancho Santa Fe. It would take more than two a challenge – many residents were lucky to escape with the day. weeks to fully contain all of the fires burning throughout their lives. Others were not as fortunate. At the time of the County. publication, 10 lives had been claimed by the firestorms One of the two largest wildfires took hold early Sunday and more than 130 firefighters had been injured. morning, October 21, when hurricane-force winds In the largest evacuation in San Diego County pushed fire through remote backcountry. The Harris history, more than 500,000 people were forced to (continued on Page 2) NONPROFIT ORG. US POSTAGE PAID SAN DIEGO, CA 8825 Aero Drive #200, San Diego, CA 92123 PERMIT NO. 1352 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED BURN INSTITUTE BEACON 2 BEACON (continued from Page 1) Early in the week, California Governor Arnold Horno Schwarzenegger visited the area and declared a state of Rice Canyon emergency in San Diego County and six others ravaged Poomacha by fire. On Oct. 23, President Bush authorized Federal assistance through FEMA. The Burn Institute is a nonprofit Coronado Witch Creek The coordinated firefighting effort became an incredible Hills health agency dedicated to challenge on many levels. The number of residents McCoy reducing the number of burn that had to be warned and/or evacuated was constantly changing as the fires grew; remote locations and steep injuries and deaths in San Diego, terrain were tough for firefighters to access; thousands Imperial, Riverside and San of firefighters, support staff and dozens of agencies had to be coordinated and managed. The undertaking was Bernardino counties through fire formidable and would stretch resources to the limit. Harris and burn prevention education, BY THE NUMBERS: burn care research and treatment, According to preliminary estimates from fire officials, the and burn survivor support services. weeklong siege swallowed up more than 518,000 acres Just days after the fires began, the Burn Institute of land, destroyed an estimated 3,107 structures (nearly established the Varshock Fund, designed to assist 1,700 of those were homes), and threatened another the Varshock family with their immediate needs and 31,000 residences. More than 2,300 vehicles (including ongoing medical expenses. Donors can find a link to the boats and tractors) were lost. Emergency officials have fund at www.burninstitute.org. One-hundred percent estimated home losses at more than $1 billion. Crop of donated funds will go directly to the family. Board of Directors losses are projected to top $42.6 million. “I think I speak for all the local Fire Service when I thank An estimated 15,616 firefighters took part in the the Burn Institute for all of their support to the families Gerald S. Davee, Esq. exhaustive effort, (including those from nine of burn survivors, especially for the firefighters injured at Chairman of the Board neighboring states including our own). Assistance the Harris Fire,” said Unit Chief Rick Henson, CALFIRE came from Arizona, Northern and Central California, San Diego. “Burn Institute staff were at the hospital Jim Hansen Colorado, Idaho, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, every day, providing support and encouragement to President Oregon, Washington and Wyoming. Firefighters from the families, and we can’t thank them enough for all Mexico also assisted. The fire service used an estimated: they do.” Chief Bob Pfohl 2,585 Fire Engines; 263 Strike Teams; 225 Bulldozers; 298 Vice President Chief Financial Officer Hand Crews and 284 Water Tenders. While displaced families return to their embattled neighborhoods and struggle to cope with their losses – Allan W. Arendsee In keeping with its mission, Burn Institute personnel signs of the rebuilding effort is already underway. Vice President Development were at the UCSD Burn Center to provide comfort and Bulldozers and trucks move debris and ash from singed support to the families of burn survivors. At its peak, foundations and insurance companies are working on Michael Pierschbacher, Ph.D. 22 patients had been admitted, four of whom were claims for homeowners. As they did after the 2003 Vice President Program firefighters who were badly injured during a rescue while firestorms, fire and emergency personnel, county, state on the Harris Fire. Richard Varshock, 15, was seriously and Federal entities are taking stock of how they did, and Dolores Juditz burned and remains hospitalized at UCSD Burn Center. how they can improve services before the next wildfire Secretary His father, Tom Varshock, 52, perished in the fire. hits. And because we live in Southern California – there will be a next time. Jeff Berend Jim Boland Charlie Brown Log on to the Burn Institute’s website (www.burninstitute. Chief Dave Burk Greetings! org), or call us for a free copy of our wildfire guide. The Captain Angelo Cappos guide will give you step-by-step instructions on how to Chief Kevin Crawford Déjà vu all over again? The 2003 wildfires were touted by safeguard your home, and also how to create a family Paul Dawson some as the wildfire to end all wildfires – but it wasn’t. The evacuation plan. Rodger Dougherty fire service knew it. And so when the 2007 wildfires struck, Theodore S. Drcar, Esq. the fire service was ready– but were you? Did you ensure Someone once told me, “An Ron Houston that you had the proper 100 foot brush clearance around Victor Jaime, Ph.D. your house? Firefighters call it defensible space. It gives ounce of prevention is better Chief Tracy Jarman your home a more than 90 percent chance of surviving a wildfire– assuming that you have non-combustible than a pound of suppression.” R. Anthony Mahavier, Esq. roofing and ensure that there is nothing flammable stored Chief Kenneth J. Miller (ret.) closely to your house. Did you create a fire escape plan Susan McClellan beforehand so that if you needed to evacuate, (more than The time is now– don’t wait until it’s too late and you find Chief Dave Ott 500,000 did), you knew exactly what you were going to yourself wondering, “What if?” Bruce Potenza, M.D. take and what route you were going to travel? Did you have Chris Saunders an alternative route in case one was blocked? Stay Safe! Chief Mitch Villalpando A good friend of mine, who lives in Rancho Bernardo, Chief Erwin Willis (ret.) said to me this past week, “No one in San Diego County is immune to wildfires.” He thought that his neighborhood was surrounded by enough asphalt and far enough away from any canyons that he was safe. Eight of his neighbors James A. Floros Please remember the Burn Institute in your annual lost their homes. He was one of the lucky ones. United Way/CHAD & CFC Campaigns. Executive Director/ Severe wildfires are a part of living in Southern California. Chief Executive Officer Member Agency of Combined Health Agencies Get used to it. And with continued drought conditions (San Diego County #95581) combined with unstoppable Santa Ana winds– the next big P.S. I would like to also thank and acknowledge the United Way (Imperial County) one is just around the corner. It’s not a matter of if. It’s a outstanding job the fire service, UCSD Regional Combined Federal Campaign (San Diego #50359) matter of when. The fire service is preparing for the next Burn Center and Burn Institute staff did during the (Imperial County #7024) big one– they made a number of improvements after the wildfires– congratulations to you all for a job well done! 2003 fires, and guaranteed they will do the same after this DIRECTOR’Sone. They’re getting ready– shouldn’t you? MESSAGE Fire and Burn Prevention Facts & Tips Fact Over the last decade, candle fires have more than tripled from the 5,500 reported in 1990. F&T Tip Extinguish ALL candles when leaving the room or going to sleep. FALL / WINTER 2007 BEACON PREVENTION 3 Never burn candles near ‘Tis the Season for Fire and Burn Safety or on a Christmas tree or combustible decorations. The holiday season has arrived and for most people this is a festive and joyous time of year. However, Keep candles away from with all the fun and festivities comes the potential for burn and fire hazards in your home.