5,000 Homes Evacuated After Wildfires Scoured Throughout San Diego County

Wildfires spread throughout San Diego County at around 9:45AM last Wednesday, May 14, 2014 for unknown reasons. It started near Cocos Drive in San Marcus then scattered heading towards north, east and west. As soon as the fire started spreading uncontrollably, authorities immediately issued evacuation notices. Around 5,000 homes were evacuated as of last Thursday. Firefighters are trying their best to control the situation before it can cause more damage than it already is. Due to the immense destruction, California Governor, Mr. Jerry Brown declared the county in a state of emergency.

San Diego County Supervisor Dianne Jacobs stated during a press conference that around three homes had been destroyed already in a fire near the Coronado Hills. She warned that the speed of the winds were 20-25 miles per hour and might ignite another fire. Authorities and residents are being cautioned to be always on high alert as they are not yet out of danger.

This incident, reminds them of a similar event that took place in 2003 where the fire had spread violently burning more than 2,000 homes and killing 15 people before firefighters managed to contain it. San Diego County experiences strong winds, making it easier for the fire to be ignited. They also love low humid weather thus making it spread quickly.

However, authorities are looking into a possible arson as the cause of the fire. This was one of the angle that San Diego County Sheriff Bill Gore is looking into. They are still investigating behind the incident and will probably take months before they can determine the cause of it. The fire was reportedly concentrated on the northern parts of San Diego. Over $20 million worth of damages were accounted for. As per the data gathered by The Associated Press, there were at least nine fires that scoured San Diego County.

Despite the damage the fires has inflicted, authorities and residents were thankful of the support that they have received from the military and civilian crews who are organizing agencies to help contain the fire.