Open-Source Fire Science

Case STudy 2007 Witch Creek Fire

2007 Witch Creek Fire

Ignition: 10/21/07 east of Ramona, CA

The Witch Creek Fire, followed by the McCoy and Guejito fire ignitions (included here), were part of a late October southern California outbreak driven by a strong Santa Ana wind event producing exceptional fire growth and damage. Below is a link to a simulation of the wind event and growth from ignition. A vertical cross section of potential temperature through the ignition location suggests strong winds near the ignition were due to pressure driven flow of stable air over low aspect ratio terrain.

CAWFE simulation

2007 Witch Creek Fire
2007 Witch Creek Fire