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Last modified on Nov 06, 2007

Witch Fire

Witch Fire Incident Information:
Last Updated: November 6, 2007 6:00 am   FINAL
Date/Time Started: October 21, 2007 12:35 pm  
Administrative Unit: CAL FIRE/San Diego County Operational Area 
County: San Diego County  
Location: Witch Creek area, east of Ramona  
Acres Burned: 197,990 acres  
Containment 100% contained - 197,990 acres  
Structures Destroyed:1,125 residential structures and 509 outbuildings were destroyed. 77 residential structures and 25 outbuildings were damaged.  
Evacuations: Evacuations have been lifted. Highway 78 is closed from Ramon to Escondido due to fire damage.  
Injuries: 40 firefighter injuries, 2 civilian fatalities  
Cooperating Agencies: California Highway Patrol, San Diego County Sheriff, Red Cross, Animal Control, San Diego Police Department, Escondido Police Department, Escondido Police Department, San Diego Gas & Electric, Bureau of Indian Affairs, Bureau of Land Management, Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation, and various local fire agencies.  
Total Fire Personnel: 224  
Engines: 25 engines (10 CAL FIRE)  
Fire crews: 6 fire crews (4 CAL FIRE)  
Dozers: 1 bulldozer  
Water tenders: 3 water tenders  
Costs to date: $18 million  
Major Incident Command Team: CAL FIRE Incident Command Team 10 remains in Unified Command with United States Forest Service and Heartland Fire Zone.  
Conditions: The Witch Fire has joined the Poomacha fire in the north. This fire resulted in two civilian fatalities.  
Phone Numbers  (619) 590-3160 (Witch Fire Information)