Lessons learned in Fallbrook fires

At an event held February 11 recognizing the seventh anniversary of the Fallbrook FireSafe Council, Christi Knight, representing Fifth District County Supervisor Bill Horn

Chief Bill Metcalf bows his head during invocation by Retired USN Chaplain Ron Ritter at the event.

Dorothy Roth, who lost her home in the Gavilan Fire of 2002, became instrumental in forming the FireSafe Council a mere nine months later. The Gavilan Fire destroyed 45 homes and nearly 6,000 acres. Roth told the crowd at the event that the goals of the council are to educate, develop and distribute evacuation plans, obtain grants and assist private property owners in clearing brush.

North County Fire Protection District Chief Bill Metcalf recalls the tragic fires that have occurred in Fallbrook but noted that out of the Gavilan Fire tragedy arose something very positive: the Fallbrook FireSafe Council. The council

Camp Pendleton fireman Santiago Rendon points out how the Rice Fire burned right up to the firebreak created just one month before thanks to the efforts of the Fallbrook FireSafe Council.

This photo, taken after the 2007 Rice Fire, shows how a 30-foot weed abatement project orchestrated by the Fallbrook FireSafe Council saved several homes in the Ridgecrest area and probably prevented the fire from advancing into downtown Fallbrook.

Refreshments were provided by Major Market and Albertsons for the event celebrating the seventh anniversary of the Fallbrook FireSafe Council.