Fire Season 2010 - Stories

Questions Still Linger Over County's Fire Preparedness

It has been three years since wildfires devastated much of San Diego County, and while the smoke has cleared, many are still wondering if the county is prepared for a possible repeat. More

Rancho Bernardo Family Moves Forward From '07 Fire

A Rancho Bernardo family saw their home burn to the ground in 2007, but now they are moving forward from the devastation. More

Fighting Fires Through Air Not A Simple Task

Cal Fire historically has kept 95 percent of wildfires in the state to less than 10 acres, and that impressive stat is only possible with the help of its firefighting aircraft. More

Bulldozer Operators Hailed As Firefighting Heroes

Cal Fire's bulldozer operators are viewed as a vital part of their firefighting efforts, especially in hard-to-reach areas. More
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Fire Season To Keep Investigators Busy

Every year, local fire departments investigate hundreds of fires deemed suspicious, and 10News learned how investigators determine if those fires are arson. More
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Safety Of 'Shelter In Place' Contested

When wildfire threatens a neighborhood the natural instinct is to leave immediately. But that's not the case in 4S Ranch and seven other local communities where families have the option to stay during a fire. More

Couple Builds Underground After Losing Homes In '03, '07 Fires

It has been said that lightning never strikes the same place twice. Whoever said that never met Skip and Linda Miller. More

2007 Coverage

Millions Doled Out To Southern California Wildfire Victims

Firefighter Burned In Wildfires Released From Hospital

Property With $10K In Wildfire Damage Can Be Reassessed

Experts: Ash From Wildfires Remain In San Diego Air

Poomacha Fire Still Burning In North County

American Red Cross Opens New Shelter

Wildfire Evacuation Largest In Nation's History

Predicted Weekend Weather Conducive To More Wildfires

Fallbrook Hospital Reopens After Fires

Bank Donates $1 Million To Wildfire Recovery

Harris Fire 100 Percent Contained

All Evacuation Orders Lifted In County

Displaced Family Reunites With Injured Dog

Man Accused Of Impersonating Firefighter Pleads Not Guilty

Task Force Created To Crack Down On Scam Artists

City Council Waives Building And Demolition Fees

Tap Water Safe To Drink In Ramona

Fire Officials Say County Fires Nearly Contained

Wildfires By The Numbers

Most Schools Reopen After Fires

SoCal Wildfires Gives Schwarzenegger Chance To Shine

FEMA Promises Change After Press Conference Flap

Gwen Stefani To Donate Proceeds From Concert

In Wake Of Fires, Council Formalizes State Of Emergency

Residents Encouraged To Register Cell Phones For Emergency Notifications

Local NASCAR Champion Donates Earnings From Race

Busy Border Crossing Reopens

Witch Fire 95 Percent Contained

Crews Continue To Battle Harris Fire

Fire Resource Center

2007 Video

County Unsure How To Pay For Regional Fire Authority

Wildfire Survivors Accuse Hotel Of Price Gouging

Road Improvements Made On Hwy 94 Through Potrero

Landscaping Choices Could Help Save Home From Fire

Wildfire 911 Calls Revealed

Man Thanks Fireproof Deck Creator For His Life

Fires To Fairways: Firefighters Take Break From Blazes

Displaced Family Reunites With Injured Dog

Guardsman Returns To Home He Thought Had Burned

Wealthy Homeowners Get Special Treatment (For A Cost)

Local Officials Look To Learn From Wildfire Crisis

Migrant Workers Prepare For Fire Cleanup With New Gear

Insurance Tips For the Wild Fires

Homemade Fire Hydrants Add Line Of Defense

Potrero Resident Lends A Helping Hand After Harris Fire

Fire Victims Say Resources Still Needed

Fire Pumps Turn Swimming Pools Into Massive Fire Hydrants

Migrants Stay Away From Evacuation Centers

Brush Fires Still A Concern Where Cedar Fire Once Burned

County Schools Reopen After Wildfires

Family Watches Fire Approach Home

Water Still Unsafe To Drink In Ramona

Coronado Squad Aids In Water Drops

Cedar Fire Victims Offer Recovery Advice

Fires Leave Lasting Effects On Health

Raw Video Of Wildfire At Jamul Estates

County Animals Seek Refuge From Wildfires

Raw Video: Witch Creek Fire

Residents Flee Witch Creek Fire

Firefighters Battle Harris Fire

Advertiser Links

Fire Season Questions

Your Fire Questions Answered

Fire season is upon us and 10News asked San Diego County leaders the tough questions you wanted answered. More

Resources

San Diego County Emergency Page

SDG&E Fire Preparedness Program

City & County Reverse 911 For Cellphones

National Weather Service: California Fire Map

City Reverse 911 System

San Diego County Animal Services Fire Plan

Smokey Bear Web Site

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA)

San Diego Fire-Rescue Department

211 San Diego

American Red Cross - SD Chapter

Fire Safe Council

San Diego City Fire Fighters

2008 Images

2008 Viewer Fire Photos I

2008 Viewer Fire Photos II

2008 Viewer Fire Photos III

2007 Images

Fallbrook, After The Fires

Photos taken by 10News Photojournalist Michael Gonzalez in Fallbrook in October, 2007. More

Viewer Brush Fire Photos I

California Firefighters Fear Wind In Battle With Deadly Arson Wildfire

Fire crews struggle to protect homes from a wildfire that trapped and killed four firefighters. More

View Of Harris Fire From Sheriff's ASTREA

Members of the Sheriff ASTREA team submitted images of the beginning of the Harris Fire. More

Faces Of The Fire

Take a look at some of the people affected by the Southern California wildfires. More

Southern California Wildfires Satellite Images

Take a look at how the wildfires raging in Southern California look from space. More

Fires Rip Through Southern California

Wildfires force almost one million southern California residents to flee their homes and communities. More

Bush Visits Wildfires

President George W. Bush visits fire-ravaged Southern California. More

2008: Asking The Hard Questions

Mayor: City Is Better Prepared For Fires

San Diego Mayor Jerry Sanders sits with 10News' Kimberly Hunt to talk about the city's preparations for another possible wildfire. More

Viejas Fire Dept. Feels Excluded From Planning Process

Officials from the Viejas Fire Department say they often feel overlooked when it comes to fire preparations and planning among local agencies. More

Former Fire Chief Critical Of County Fire Preparations

Ex-San Diego Fire Chief Jeff Bowman says the county is ill prepared for another possible firestorm. More

How Effective Was County Technology During 2007 Fires?

Lauren Reynolds of the 10News I-Team examines the county's technology in saving lives and property during the October wildfires. More

Cal Fire Unit Chief: County Better Prepared Than Ever

Hal Windsor of Cal Fire says San Diego County and fire agencies are prepared to handle a major fire. More

County OES Learns Valuable Lessons From 2007 Wildfires

San Diego County's Office of Emergency Services has learned many lessons from the October 2007 wildfires that will help them in the immediate future. More

What Are SDG&E's Plans To Help Prevent Wildfires?

10News anchor Hal Clement talks to officials from San Diego Gas & Electric regarding their plans during major fire situations in the county. More

10News I-Team Examines Fire Timeline

The 10News I-Team examines the events leading to the start of the San Diego wildfires. More
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2008: Rebuilding And Recovery

Family Overcomes More Than Just Witch Fire

In addition to the Witch Fire, a local family had to go through a cancer diagnosis. More

Life Lessons Learned For Witch Fire Survivors

The Kalench Family from Rancho Santa Fe learned many valuable life lessons after the 2007 wildfires destroyed their home. More

Fire Victim Detail Problems With Insurance Providers

A 2007 wildfire victim has had numerous problems with her insurance provider over fire coverage. More

Couple To Move Underground After Living Through 03, 07 Fires

A Descanso couple lost their home in 2003 and 2007, and are now looking to move underground. More

Rancho Bernardo Hero Visits Homes He Helped Save

A golf pro is hailed as a hero for helping save homes in a Rancho Bernardo neighborhood. More

Witch Fire Victims Build Eco-Friendly Home

A couple decides to rebuild their home by going green. More

Fire Victims Describe Meeting President, Generosity Of Strangers

The Jeffcoat family from Rancho Bernardo talks about meeting President Bush and the outpouring of generosity shown by many around San Diego. More

Cedar Fire Victims Describe Their Road To Recovery

Two Cedar Fire victims tell two very different tales of rebuilding and recovery. More

Escondido Fire Victims Finish Rebuilding Home

An Escondido family, whose home was destroyed in the fires, is one of the first to finish the rebuilding process and move into their new home. More

Rancho Bernardo Family Rebuilds Home One Year After Fire

The O'Sullivan family attempts to rebuild their home that was destroyed in the October 2007 wildfires. More

Valley Oaks Residents Return To Rebuilt Home Park

A North County mobile home park devastated by the wildfires is rebuilt, but not all residents have returned. More

2008: Preparation

City Teaches Brush Clearing To Residents

San Diego's brush management program is helping residents learn how to clear brush from their properties. More

Officials Hope To Reopen County Lookout Towers

Lookout towers such as one located on Palomar Mountain may be reopened in an effort to spot fires from their high vantage points. More

Expert Shows How To Make Your Home Fire-Safe

Deputy Fire Marshall Mark Castiglione has several tips on how to keep your home safe from fires. More

How Prepared Is Cal Fire For Another Major Fire?

10News' Loren Nancarrow talks to Cal Fire Capt. Ron Serabia about the preparations being made by Cal Fire crews. More

Victims Seek State's Help In Resolving Insurances Issues

Many victims of the October wildfires are still fighting to resolve problems with their insurance companies. More

Family Deals With Fire Aftermath, Insurance Issues

A Ramona family lost their home in the October wildfires and thought their home was fully insured. However, that was not the case. More
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Local Community Stays Safe From Fires Through 'Shelter-In-Place'