The Cedar fire of October 2003 killed 15 people in San Diego County. It was the second largest wildfire in the history of the state of California (after the Great Fire of 1889) and one of 15 fires that started in late October 2003 and were fanned by Santa Ana Winds in Southern California burning a total of 721,791 acres (2,921 km²) and 3,640 homes, and killing 15 people.
There is a controversy over the causes of the deaths, and I don't propose to offer a magic bullet here that will provide a complete solution in future events of this type. However, there is a group of people working to help implement communications systems that will provide a better degree of functionality under the conditions that were experienced during the firestorm: rough terrain, thick smoke, high heat, etc.
I have received information regarding the efforts of this group of experimenters that they are being targeted by the Poway City council because in the course of their research and development they have built, or are attempting to obtain building permits for antenna structures at their homes (they usually perform this work on their own time). They have valid FCC amateur radio service licenses to operate communications equipment, and it is my understanding there exist Federal laws which allow the construction of this equipment, and there are no homeowners association conflicts.
Since 1999, the City Council has said over and over again that aesthetics, viz., property values, rule, and they perceive antennas as ugly. Well OK, I understand that only mad scientists view a transmitting antenna which will relay urgent messages to emergency responders and citizens as a thing of beauty. What about the public safety? Isn't there an obligation incumbant on the City council to consider that?
Smoke from the fires drift towards Arizona and Nevada
after the wind shifted on October 29
The following individuals lost their lives in the Cedar Fire of 2003:
·Galen Blacklidge, age 50, Lakeside, teacher, artist – Died October 26, 2003 while trying to escape in her vehicle
·Christy-Anne Seiler-Davis, age 42, Alpine - Died October 26, 2003 while in her home on Vista Viejas Road in Alpine
·Gary Edward Downs, age 50, Lakeside, small-business owner – Died October 26, 2003 while trying to escape the flames on Wildcat Canyon Road
·John Leonard Pack, age 28, Lakeside - Died October 26, 2003 along with his wife Quynh trying to escape the fire on Wildcat Canyon Road
·Quynh Yen Chau Pack, age 28, Lakeside - Died October 26, 2003 along with her husband John trying to escape the fire on Wildcat Canyon Road
·Mary Lynne Peace, age 54, Lakeside, nurse - Died on October 26, 2003 along with her sister-in-law Robin Sloan near the Barona Indian Reservation
·Steven Rucker — 38, Novato, firefighter, died October 29, 2003 in Julian fighting the deadly Cedar Fire
·Stephen Shacklett, age 54, Lakeside, construction superintendent - Died October 26, 2003 while trying to escape the fire in his motorhome on Muth Valley road
·James Shohara, age 63, Lakeside, correctional officer - Died October 26, 2003 along with his wife and son while trying to escape the deadly flames near San Vicente Reservoir, Lakeside
·Solange Shohara, age 43, Lakeside, correctional officer - Died October 26, 2003 along with her husband and stepson while trying to escape the fire near San Vicente Reservoir, Lakeside
·Randy Shohara, age 32, Lakeside - Died October 26, 2003 with his stepmother and father trying to escape the deadly flames near San Vicente Reservoir, Lakeside
·Robin Sloan, age 45, Lakeside, Walmart employee - Died October 26, 2003 attempting to escape the fire near the Barona Indian Reservation
·Jennifer Sloan, age 17, Lakeside, student - Died October 26, 2003 along with her mother Robin while attempting to escape the fire near the Barona Indian Reservation
·Ralph Marshall Westley — 77, Lakeside, retired retail clerk, discovered October 27, 2003 at 1088 Barona Road.
·Unknown, found mid-December in the I-15/SR-52 area.
