[californiadisasters] On That Day, the Wind Fed the Flames

On that day, the wind fed the flames 

By John Lindsey - San Luis Obispo Tribune

Published: Sunday, Oct. 23, 2011

It was windy, hot and dry on Oct. 20, 1991 at Alameda Naval Air Station near Oakland. We kept the cargo door open for the entire duration of our flight in our Navy H-3 Sea King helicopter as we practiced hovering near the Golden Gate Bridge.

On most days, hovering near the iconic, international orange-painted symbol of San Francisco meant keeping the helicopter pointed toward the Pacific Ocean as the persistent westerly (onshore) winds blew toward the inland valleys. However, on that Sunday morning, we kept the helicopter pointed to the East Bay as gusting easterly (offshore) winds buffeted our aircraft.

Reaching the end of a long Navy Reserve drill weekend — and wanting to see the 49ers game at Candlestick Park — we headed back to the base. We made our final approach to the runway and noticed smoke coming from the Oakland Hills.

A strong area of high pressure had developed over the Great Basin earlier that weekend and given rise to strong-to-gale-force northeasterly (offshore) winds. These winds produced scorching temperatures and bone-dry conditions, perfect for fire.

The wildfire that broke out that day became one of the nation's deadliest and most destructive on record. The firestorm destroyed nearly 800 homes in the first hour. As the blaze spread westward, it produced its own atmospheric conditions, with fire whirls spinning upward as it consumed homes and eucalyptus trees.

Asphalt roads boiled as air temperatures reached an estimated 2,000 degrees. For the brave first responders and residents, it was hell on Earth.

Our helicopter squadron received a call for mutual assistance and launched out of Alameda, but tragically, we were only able to recover bodies. By the end, the fire jumped two freeways, destroyed more than 3,800 homes and killed 25 people.

The 20th anniversary of the Oakland Hills fire Thursday brought back some powerful and disturbing memories. Seeing firsthand what a terrible toll such disasters take on our communities brings into sharp focus the importance of first responders. I'm so appreciative of the work that our first responders do to keep our families and neighborhoods safe. We are all responsible to help them in every way we can.

Source: http://www.sanluisobispo.com/2011/10/22/1806827/on-that-day-the-wind-fed-the-flames.html

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