The Harris Fire was a major wildfire in southern San Diego County that began on October 21, 2007, which burned 90,440 acres (366.0 km2) in southeastern San Diego County before it was contained on November 5. Hotspots persisted until the fire was extinguished on November 16, making the Harris Fire the last of the October 2007 California wildfires to be extinguished.[3] As the Harris Fire burned, it traveled in a northwest direction from its starting point at Harris Ranch Road in the town of Potrero, located in the far south of San Diego County, near Tecate, Mexico. The wildfire was the second-largest one of the October 2007 California wildfires, behind only the Witch Fire.[1] The cause of the Harris Fire is unknown.[1] The Harris Fire was the deadliest one of the October 2007 wildfires, killing eight people.[2]
| Harris Fire Part of the Fall 2007 California firestorm | |
|---|---|
Aerial view of the Harris Fire on October 23, 2007, at 12:05 p.m. PDT
| |
| Date(s) |
|
| Location | Potrero, San Diego, California |
| Statistics | |
| Burned area | 90,440 acres (366 km2)[1] |
| Impacts | |
| Deaths | 8 civilians[2] |
| Non-fatal injuries | 21 civilians 40 firefighters[1] |
| Structures destroyed |
|
| Damage | >$21 million (2007 USD)[1] |
At 9:23 AM PDT on October 21, 2007, the Harris Fire ignited in Potrero, southeastern San Diego County, near the Mexican border.[1]
On October 23, the fire approached eastern Chula Vista.[4]
The fire resulted in the evacuation of some nearby communities, with evacuation centers set up at a nearby high school and a community center.[5]
Thomas James Varshock, 52, of Potrero, died on his property during the Harris Fire on Sunday. His teenage son suffered burn injuries, along with four firefighters of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, who had attempted to rescue them.[6] The fire may also have led to the deaths of four illegal migrants near the U.S.–Mexico border.[7] An estimated 1,210 firefighters battled this fire.[8]
The Harris Fire also burned into northern Mexico, near the city of Tecate.[9]
On November 5, 2007, the Harris Fire was 100% contained.[2] Hotspots persisted within the perimeter of the fire until November 16, when the last hotspot was finally extinguished.[3]