Homes lost, canyons burned & the community evacuated as firestorm descends on Tierrasanta/Murphy Canyon

by Deanna Spehn –Tierra Times –November 13, 2003

The experience that this community has just passed through, dealing with the onslaught of a pow­erful firestorm raging across miles of communities and open space in the County on its destructive path into the lives of hundreds of thousands residents, will be long remembered. For many of us, after nearly a week of ash and dark skies, nearly unbreathable air, and for many - the loss or damage of precious homes and natural open spaces that are part of the region's majesty, life is slowly returning to normal.

Our traditional blue skies and puffy white clouds - the sound of children playing once again - help make the horrors of a few days fade.

But there are lasting effects.

For the Tierrasanta families who lost their homes, or suffered damage from the fire, this is only the beginning. For the Firefighters, there will be a few days before the next Santa Ana with its powerful winds. And for many in this community and others, there is time to think about what we can do to protect ourselves in the future. Throughout Tierrasanta, people are gathering and talking about what they can do as individuals working together, and are seeking an­swers from their elected representatives.

The good news is that we will be much better prepared in the future. There are many steps we can take as individuals that don't involve government and bureaucracies. Neighbors are working on safety plans, and ways to ensure that everyone on a block is notified during an emergency situation. People are taking a good look at the "defensible space" around their homes (see page 10 for the form on how to get access to the open space behind your home to do brush clearing, etc.)

But we have lots of questions, as well. Why does the entire City of San Diego have only one 8-person brush maintenance crew that in a year can only deal with about 50 acres of brush clearance?  Why did the City Council vote to de-fund its only helicopter that can be used to fight fires? What will it take for Mission Trails Regional Park to be a "better neighbor" to Tierrasanta - and deal with (what used to be but has now burned!) the dense brush and undergrowth close to our homes? Why can't neighbors work w the Fire crews as a volunteer force during brush fires in their communities when it is clear that San Diego ( doesn't have the manpower for these major fires? Volunteer fire departments are an American tradition - if the problem is training, then set up training sessions!

Where's the ordinance banning shake shingle roofs within the City that's been "talked about" for years?

The politicians and bureaucrats will tell us that there are liability issues with volunteers helping during emer­gencies. Then find a way to fix that. There were lots of brave people who stayed behind in Tierrasanta during the evacuation watering down roofs and slopes, knocking down brush, etc., pro­tecting their homes and their neighbors' homes. They shouldn't have to hide from the same authorities they are trying to help.

Tierrasanta/Murphy Canyon was fortunate. We only have to look at our neighbors in Scripps Ranch to see what could have happened here. Whole neigh­borhoods were destroyed, yet in many areas trees are still standing. This fire was, indeed, a firestorm - jumping 12 lanes of freeway at times. In Tierrasanta, the fire swept down the Navy property to the west of Monserate Park and Vista Grande Elementary School, and almost leapt into the community from the west, but Firefighters made a successful stand at Clairemont Mesa and Antigua.

We will rebuild. We will replant our open space quickly, in order to protect the fragile slopes before the winter rains begin and we have major erosion problems. We have an opportu­nity to learn from this experience, and to grow as a community. Let's take advantage of it.