News Release from Bill Peters of the Command Center
Tuesday Morning, October 5, 1999
Aggressive line cutting and suppression efforts overnight kept the fire to 7,222 acres. Active fire was located in the Love and Will Valley areas, located on the north and south sides of the fire. There was no active flame reported on the western position of the fire. The inversion layer that covered the mountain in smoke from the fire yesterday, is expected to remain in effect into this afternoon. That means residents on the western side of the mountain could see and smell smoke even though any active fire is miles away. Weather forecasters expect the inversion to dissipate by afternoon which will allow coastal winds to clear the smoke away.
The fire is 40% contained with full containment anticipated by Thursday, Oct 6th at 6:00 pm. The fire was started on Thursday, September 30th by an escaped debris fire from a residence located on the La Jolla Indian Reservation.
One major injury and five minor injuries have occurred since the fire began September 30. During night fire operations on October 3rd, the firefighter who has been identified as Gregory Pacheco working on the Penasco 5 crew from the Carson National Forest in New Mexico was hit by a tire sized rock rolling down hill. The firefighter sustained a severe head injury and is being treated at Sharp Memorial Hospital. Pacheco remains in serious condition.
Fire crews consisting of 55 engines, 31 hand crews (20 people each), 9 helicopters, 6 air tankers, and 5 dozers have been working on the La Jolla Fire. 919 people continue to fight the La Jolla Fire.
Fire crews will continue to consolidate the control lines around the fire. Firefighters are expected to benefit from cooler temperatures and higher humidities. Damage on the fire has consisted of one storage shed, one construction type trailer, and an uninhabited singlewide trailer, apparently used for storage, have been confirmed as destroyed by the fire. Damage assessment personnel will continue their efforts to find and identify any property that might have been damaged or destroyed by the fire.
Habitats for the California Spotted Owl, a California listed endangered species, and Southwestern Flycacher, Federally listed endangered species, had been threatened. According to USAF wildlife experts, no specialized habitat was damaged or destroyed. Forest Service land rehabilitation specialists will continue to survey the burn area in preparation for rehabilitation and mitigation of the fire damage and damage caused by the fire suppression activities.
State Route 76 between Lake Henshaw and South Grade Road will remain closed to the public. The South and East Grade Roads will only be open to residents.
CAUTION: Driving conditions continue to be extremely hazardous because of the fire equipment on or near the road. Please continue to drive with caution along Hwy. 76 and on the South and East Grade Roads and on Hwy 79.
For additional information contact La Jolla Fire Information at 760 782-0581.