December, 2000 - Wildfire season starts early in California and Florida
News Release
Fire Season Begins early on West Coast and in Florida
Saturday, December 23, 2000, Haines City, Florida
Wildfires began early this season due to extremely dry conditions near Orlando, FL. The wildfire quickly spread and ultimately engulfed 2,600 acres and at least one home. The fire burned out of control throughout Sunday and Monday and was 95 percent under control by Tuesday.
Lori Stone, Division of Forestry Officer, said a crew of six (6) Division of Forestry firefighters and 15 others from Polk County Emergency Management Services were on the scene. A helicopter continued dropping water directly on the flames on Monday. "The wind was pushing the fire in a direction that was favorable for us today," Stone said.
Firefighters concentrated on digging firebreaks on the western front of the blaze and performing backburns by setting fires to additional trees and underbrush to deprive the advancing fire of fuel to propagate. Working 24-hour shifts, the firefighters had a Christmas meal at the command center.
Fire officials said that the blaze grew from 500 acres to 2,600 acres Sunday. "The difficulty in containing the fire is due to bulky terrain," said Division of Forestry Officer Nancy Carter.
Sunday, December 24, 2000, Ventura County, California
High winds and dry conditions complicate California firefighters as they struggle to control two blazes near Los Angeles. One broke out near Santa Paula knocking out power lines and causing posting of warnings for Christmas Day drivers.
About 250 firefighters, aided by helicopters and air tankers were called to a remote region between Santa Paula and Camarillo, said Ventura County Fire department spokeswoman Sandi Wells. Wind gusts up to 65 miles per hour made it difficult for Ventura County firefighters to battle a blaze that had grown to100 acres by midday.
Thousand Oaks, CA. A second fire, driven by dry desert winds, claimed 600 acres and came dangerously close to luxury homes. More than 600 firefighters, four (4) water-dropping helicopters and two (2) air tankers battled the flames for over 14 hours. Residents were warned that they might have to evacuate as flames, driven by the Santa Ana winds, advanced to within 100 feet of their back yards. As daylight broke, the wind gusts that had been fanning the flames died down before evacuation was necessary.
Mandatory brush-clearance ordinances were instrumental in protecting property in the hilly, brush-covered area where luxury homes are separated by swaths of open land. The town of 120,000 is 40 miles west of Los Angeles.