SAN DIEGO — This week marks 20 years since the devastating Cedar Fire. It burned through more than 273,000 acres, killing 15 people and destroying more than 2,800 buildings.
Since then, a lot has changed in firefighting efforts.
One big upgrade to our firefighting array is greatly improved air support in both the private and public sectors. Take SDG&E, for example. Before the Cedar fire, and even in the years after, SDG&E did not have any helicopters dedicated to fighting fires. Now, they have five, two of which are committed year-round.
"We are ready to go 365 days a year,” said Thom Porter, Director of Emergency Management for SDG&E.
Prior to serving in his current role, Porter spent his career serving in local and state fire agencies. He says combatting wildfires is a collaborative effort, one SDG&E now plays a major role in.
"With the fires that have been caused by utilities here in San Diego, as well as across the state, we have really upped our investment in hardening of our entire system,” said Porter.
SDG&E wasn't at fault for the Cedar Fire. But, the utility company was found liable for the Witch Creek fire in 2007 after powerful Santa Ana winds blew down one of their power lines. More than 240,000 acres burned and nearly 1,300 homes were destroyed.
In the years that followed, SDG&E started investing more money in mitigating wildfires.
"In the past 15 years, the company has invested over $5 billion, that's [a] billion dollars in reducing the risk of wildfire in our area. That's both in our system as well as working to do fuel reduction in our communities and then supplying these helicopters for woodland firefighting," said Porter.
Of the five helicopters SDG&E has, three are primarily used for fixing and installing power poles, but are also capable of surveying fires and escorting fire officials both day and night.
Two are solely dedicated to firefighting, including an air crane, one of the best tools in the industry. It has the capability of dropping 2,650 gallons of water on a fire.
That's the equivalent of five fire trucks worth and it can collect that water in less than a minute.
“It will hover over the water source and pump water from the source into itself and fill that tank in 45 seconds,” said Porter.
In comparison, SDG&E’s Blackhawk can drop 850 gallons of water. Both are for the exclusive use of San Diego County.
Porter says since they were added, there hasn't been a major wildfire in our area.
Watch Related: Revisiting the Cedar Fire nearly 20 years later (Jul 10, 2023)