Laguna Fire
Encyclopedia
The Laguna Fire, previously known as the Kitchen Creek Fire and the Boulder Oaks Fire, occurred in 1970 in eastern San Diego County, California
of Southern California
. It was the second largest wildfire
in the history of California
at that time, after the Santiago Canyon Fire of 1889. It was one of many wildfires in a massive conflagration that spanned across the state from September 22—October 4, 1970.
in eastern San Diego County on the morning of September 26, 1970. In only 24 hours it burned westward about 30 miles (50 km) to the outskirts of El Cajon
and Spring Valley. The fire devastated the communities of Harbison Canyon
and Crest
. In the end the fire burned 175,425 acres (710 km²) and 382 homes killing eight people.
The Laguna Fire was surpassed as the second largest fire in California history by the 280,278 acre (1,134 km²) Cedar Fire
in October 2003. It was surpassed as the third largest by the 197,990 acre (801 km²) Witch Creek Fire in October 2007.
brought a CL-215
to southern California to demonstrate its capabilities in aerial firefighting
. He was turned away by firefighting officials. Nevertheless, while other firefighting aircraft were unable to fly safely he operated his "Super Scooper
" out of El Capitan Reservoir and dropped water on the Laguna Fire wherever he saw fit.
The firefighting officials were unimpressed, and such aircraft were not used again in southern California to fight fires until the San Bernardino National Forest used one several years ago to fight the Lytle Fire when other aircraft were grounded. With the exception of two CL-415s leased by Los Angeles County during the fire season, the CL-215 and CL-415 are rarely used.
(MAFFS) which would allow military transport aircraft to be able to respond to wildfires if the commercial air tankers are unavailable or committed elsewhere.
Also note that retardant is generally ineffective when dropped from air during a foehn wind event where winds are blowing from 45-70 mph. The retardant gets intermixed with the wind and is dispersed, thus it never reaches its intended target. This makes southern California unique when fighting fire during a Santa Ana wind event from the sky.
San Diego County, California
San Diego County is a large county located in the southwestern corner of the US state of California. Hence, San Diego County is also located in the southwestern corner of the 48 contiguous United States. Its county seat and largest city is San Diego. Its population was about 2,813,835 in the 2000...
of Southern California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
. It was the second largest wildfire
Wildfire
A wildfire is any uncontrolled fire in combustible vegetation that occurs in the countryside or a wilderness area. Other names such as brush fire, bushfire, forest fire, desert fire, grass fire, hill fire, squirrel fire, vegetation fire, veldfire, and wilkjjofire may be used to describe the same...
in the history of California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
at that time, after the Santiago Canyon Fire of 1889. It was one of many wildfires in a massive conflagration that spanned across the state from September 22—October 4, 1970.
History
The Laguna fire was started by downed power lines during Santa Ana winds in the Kitchen Creek area of the Laguna MountainsLaguna Mountains
The Laguna Mountains are a section of the Peninsular Ranges in eastern San Diego County, California. The mountains run in a northwest/southeast alignment for approximately ....
in eastern San Diego County on the morning of September 26, 1970. In only 24 hours it burned westward about 30 miles (50 km) to the outskirts of El Cajon
El Cajon, California
-History:El Cajon is located on the Rancho El Cajon Mexican land grant made in 1845 to María Antonia Estudillo, wife of Miguel Pedrorena. In 1876 Amaziah Lord Knox , a New Englander who had recently moved to California, established a hotel there to serve the growing number of people traveling...
and Spring Valley. The fire devastated the communities of Harbison Canyon
Harbison Canyon, California
Harbison Canyon is a census-designated place in San Diego County, California. Harbison Canyon had a population of 3,841 as of the 2010 census, up from 3,645 as of the 2000 census.-Geography:...
and Crest
Crest, California
Crest is an unincorporated community in San Diego County, California. The Crest census-designated place had a population of 2,593 at the 2010 census, down from 2,716 at the 2000 census.-Geography:...
. In the end the fire burned 175,425 acres (710 km²) and 382 homes killing eight people.
The Laguna Fire was surpassed as the second largest fire in California history by the 280,278 acre (1,134 km²) Cedar Fire
Cedar Fire
The Cedar Fire was a human-caused wildfire that burned out of control through a large area of San Diego County, in Southern California, in October 2003...
in October 2003. It was surpassed as the third largest by the 197,990 acre (801 km²) Witch Creek Fire in October 2007.
Aerial firefighting issue
At a time when high Santa Ana winds grounded other firefighting aircraft, a representative of CanadairCanadair
Canadair Ltd. was a civil and military aircraft manufacturer in Canada. It was a subsidiary of other aircraft manufacturers, then a nationalized corporation until privatized in 1986, and became the core of Bombardier Aerospace....
brought a CL-215
Canadair CL-215
The Canadair CL-215 was the first model in a series of firefighting flying boat amphibious aircraft built by Canadair and later Bombardier. The CL-215 is a twin-engine, high-wing aircraft designed to operate well at low speed and in gust-loading circumstances, as are found over forest fires...
to southern California to demonstrate its capabilities in aerial firefighting
Aerial firefighting
Aerial firefighting is the use of aircraft and other aerial resources to combat wildfires. The types of aircraft used include fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters. Smokejumpers and rappellers are also classified as aerial firefighters, delivered to the fire by parachute from a variety of fixed-wing...
. He was turned away by firefighting officials. Nevertheless, while other firefighting aircraft were unable to fly safely he operated his "Super Scooper
Super Scooper
Super Scooper is a nickname given to certain amphibious firefighting aircraft built by Canadair, now Bombardier. The family of three aircraft known as "Super Scoopers" are the Canadair CL-215, the CL-215T and the Bombardier 415 turboprop....
" out of El Capitan Reservoir and dropped water on the Laguna Fire wherever he saw fit.
The firefighting officials were unimpressed, and such aircraft were not used again in southern California to fight fires until the San Bernardino National Forest used one several years ago to fight the Lytle Fire when other aircraft were grounded. With the exception of two CL-415s leased by Los Angeles County during the fire season, the CL-215 and CL-415 are rarely used.
Wildfire suppression changes
In the wake of the fire some wildfire suppression policies were changed. Congress directed the establishment of the Modular Airborne FireFighting SystemModular Airborne FireFighting System
The Modular Airborne FireFighting System or MAFFS is a self-contained unit used for aerial firefighting that can be loaded onto a C-130 Hercules, a military cargo transport, which then allows the aircraft to be used as an air tanker against wildfires. This allows the U.S...
(MAFFS) which would allow military transport aircraft to be able to respond to wildfires if the commercial air tankers are unavailable or committed elsewhere.
Also note that retardant is generally ineffective when dropped from air during a foehn wind event where winds are blowing from 45-70 mph. The retardant gets intermixed with the wind and is dispersed, thus it never reaches its intended target. This makes southern California unique when fighting fire during a Santa Ana wind event from the sky.