Malibu torched

News of the Year | November 2007

With California firefighting resources already stressed, another massive fire broke out on Nov. 24 in Malibu

On Nov. 9, firefighters brought under control the last of a chain of devastating wildfires that raged through southern California beginning on Oct. 20. At least half a million residents fled their homes in the face of 21 separate fires that spread across seven counties, killing 14 people. In hardest-hit San Diego County, flames chewed through more than 375,000 acres and destroyed 1,200 homes, bringing total damages in the county to at least $1 billion.

With California firefighting resources already stressed, another massive fire broke out on Nov. 24, torching 5,000 acres and 53 homes in the seaside enclave of Malibu.

In the San Diego fires, the county's "reverse 911" system likely saved thousands of lives, warning residents by telephone to evacuate. But a state legislative review panel on Dec. 12 found that the system sometimes broke down. The panel also found that aging backcountry brush should have been cleared sooner, and that a larger firefighting force might have been able to save more homes. Victims and public officials testifying before the panel noted that California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection policy prevented some aircraft from getting into the fight sooner: State fire spotters, required by the department to direct military firefighting aircraft where to drop water and retardant, did not become available until several hours into the firestorm.