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San Diego County Fire Training
San Marcos Farms Neighborhood

Work in Progress

Wayne P. Armstrong Updated 8 May 2025

Cameras Used: Nikon D-3200, Sony Dsc-H60 & iPhone 12

Introduction

Since the devastating Cedar, Paradise & Otay wildfires of October 2003, firefighters from throughout San Diego County have gathered each year for a MultiAgency Wildland Preparedness Exercise before the busy summer & fall wildfire season begins. The 2003 fires collectively burned over 390,000 acres & destroyed over 3,000 buildings & homes. 17 people lost their lives in the combined fires. This year (2025) the fire training was held in Twin Oaks Valley, San Marcos (May 6th, 7th & 8th), including the area surrounding Walnut Grove Park. It included residential roads in San Marcos Farms adjacent to foothills of the southern extension of Merriam Range. The following images are from the latter area.

Ashes To Wildflowers
Nearby Sycamore Fire

Another major fire followed a similar path of the Cedar Fire only 4 years later. Fanned by strong Santa Ana winds with gusts up to 60 mph, the Witch Creek fire of October 2007 swept westward from Witch Creek east of Ramona to Escondido within 8 hours. The fire essentially followed canyons and hillsides along the general route of the San Dieguito River. It jumped across I-15 south of Escondido and moved into the hillsides bordering Lake Hodges. From here it raced through the hills and canyons west of Escondido on its way to the coast. The fire burned almost 200,000 acres and destroyed about 1200 homes & outbuilings.

Training Images in San Marcos Farms Neighborhood

AI generated fire at our house by Miramar Fireman Dan Gonzales.

Fire Engines in My Neighborhood