California Fires 2003 - The Continuing Story In Photos - Photo Gallery by Dan Chusid at pbase.com

California Fires 2003 - The Continuing Story In Photos -

I Lived in Scripps Ranch in San Diego County, during this event, an area that was devastated with loss of life
and a loss of over 300 homes.
These images are dedicated to those that suffered from this tragedy.

Feel free to express yourself below with a comment or message below
More photos here: https://pbase.com/camera0bug/san_diego_fire__

Scripps Ranch, CA (San Diego)	Handrich St. - Scripps Ranch, CA (San Diego)	Handrich St. - Scripps Ranch, CA (San Diego)	Handrich St. - Scripps Ranch, CA (San Diego)
Message	Garaged Car - Scripps Ranch - San Diego	Claret Court - Scripps Ranch - San Diego	Digging Through The Rubble - Scripps Ranch
Scripps Ranch Aftermath - Handrich St.	Miramar Area - Scorched Earth - 10-31-03	Better Late......	Avenida Magnifica - Scripps Ranch
"Protected By ADT"	Waiting....	Notices	Rue Fountainbleau - Scripps Ranch, CA
12410 Rue Fountainbleau - Scripps Ranch, CA	Skewed Sunset	Birch Bluff Ave	10324 Spruce Grove Ave
Fairbrook Rd. - Scripps Ranch, San Diego	Fairbrook Rd. - Scripps Ranch	The Spirit Survives	Handrich St - Scripps Ranch
Whispering Pines - Near Julian, CA	Mom's Apple Pies - Julian, CA	Desert View Park	A Day Late And A Dollar Short
Salvaged Heads & Cup	Kingspine Avenue	Naked Chimneys	Denuded Landscape
10796 Birch Bluff Ave	11707 Maywind Court

comment |

Dan Greenberg		16-Aug-2009 14:40
These images really bring home how much devastation results from a fire like this. To most people it is just something on the news.

Robbie D70		21-Mar-2008 22:29
Powerful shots covering such a sad event.

Steve Nelson		17-Feb-2008 17:38
Some strong images there. We're sorry for the loss of life and property. Someday soon, life will be back to normal for a lot of these folks. Take care, and be strong! Steve Westminster, CO

Fran Callaghan		23-Oct-2007 22:25
We used to live on Cummins Place in Scripps Ranch many years ago. Did the fires hit that area? This is so sad for all of you. I'm so sorry.

Ann Cleeves		02-Feb-2007 15:08
Dramatic & heartrending gallery. I hope, by now, that those affected have been able to move on in their lives, and that such devastation doesn't occur again..although I we hear of similar fires every year somewhere in the world.

Rose		02-Dec-2003 06:18
The devastation is truly impossible for words to express.My prayers go out to all who have suffered a loss.. Many of my family live in the San Bernardino Mountains and their homes were somehow miraculously saved. Sadly, my uncle was one of the victims as a result of the fire.. My thoughts are with those who have also lost a loved one in these fires.. Hold tightly to those you love, and be thankful for the warmth of their embrace.. A lifetime of treasures in one's home will be missed sorely, but as long as you can see the love in your family and friends eyes, you will make it past this sorrow.. Faith, hope, and love...

roger newell		23-Nov-2003 16:01
I've always wondered why someone would like to stare at someone else's house whether it be those destroyed by the San Diego fires or the Taos Indian pueblo.

Guest		19-Nov-2003 16:48
Very, very powerful images, almost like something from a sci-fi movie. It will be interesting to see the re-growth beginning in 6-8 weeks, as I did with the BC Okanagen fires recently. Images of the regrowth can be viewed athttp://www.pbase.com/kizomo/burnt Fires are completely devastating, but humans and nature alike, always seen to find the strength to carry on. Tracy!

Liz Bickel		07-Nov-2003 22:32
Very dramatic and moving photos!

Guest		07-Nov-2003 16:04
thank u for showing us this so well philip mortimer im the uk

Guest		06-Nov-2003 21:27
Powerful and moving collection of photos. I was living in Marin in the fires of 91 and remember what a terrifying experience it was very clearly.

Mary Bowles		06-Nov-2003 20:09
Wonderful, terrible shots. In England we have been following the unfolding horrors, but this site brings it home. Stunning images. God Bless.

Guest		06-Nov-2003 15:36
Truly shocking to see the walls of live fire bearing down on homes and firefighters, and then to see the charred aftermath. How terrible to have been at the center of this disaster. A family friend in Somis, CA (Simi Valley / Ventura) lost acres of avacado groves and a beautiful old estate home. All that was left was the swimming pool and the stone fire place. A home filled with art and antiques, treasures, old, rare books and music scores. Sure it's just "stuff" but how terrible to have your life go up in smoke, even when you survive. My heart aches for all of those who have been affected, in whatever capacity.

Guest		04-Nov-2003 18:46
I'm glad to see you're well, Dan. We were evacuated from our Lakeside home, but thanks to the wonderful work of the firefighters, our neighborhood was untouched. My family lost 3 cabins in Cedar Glen but, fortunately, no one was hurt. Thanks for putting the gallery together. It shows the truly widespread disaster this was.

Seize		04-Nov-2003 05:02
and these images look all too familiar...fortunately for me and my family we were not directly affected.

stephen		04-Nov-2003 00:25
Im from Australia and I was very much in the middle of our devastating fires. It brings back horrible memories of the fear and anticipation. your photos are a strong capture for those who have never experienced the wrath of fire. Well done

Guest		03-Nov-2003 05:12
A gallery of outstanding images that really brings home the devastation being experienced by you. My thoughts are with you and I hope that the end is near for this horrible episode in your lives. May your recovery from this be rapid and your lives be made whole again as soon as possible.

Ann Bowden		02-Nov-2003 07:41
I'm from San Bernardino, CA...Some of my friends and co-workers lost their homes in the Del Rosa area...My thoughts and prayers go out to them and to all who have lost homes and property and for the lives also lost..It's all just very devastating..My prayers go out to everyone affected by the Southern California Arson Fires..

asher		02-Nov-2003 07:33
I live in NM. my husband and I were there during the start of all of this visiting friends in rancho penasquitos...these pictures capture the stark reality of it all. I stepped outside church sunday morning in poway and the aroma was that of wood smoke. it is an aroma i like as it used to bring fond memories to mind. that morning I realized that mixed with the aroma that I love so well was also the aroma of death. people's lives, their homes all mixed into the smell of burning wood. I won't be able to smell wood smoke again and not think of the horrible devastation of the fires that have ravaged southern CA. My sorrow is deep for everyone there, for those who have lost homes, for those who have lost loved ones and friends, for those who although not directly affected by the fire in loss of home or life, will be affected financially and caring for their family will now become even more difficult. this devastaition carries with it the same type of sorrow as 911. My heart and my prayers go out to and for everyone affected by these fires.

Guest		01-Nov-2003 20:32
Praying for all who have lost their homes.

James Chuah		01-Nov-2003 04:59
I have never seen anything such disater like this before. It has saddened me beyong my imagination. My sympathy goes to those whose have lost their properties. We will continue to pray to the Almighty God that this will come to an end very soon. The area caught on fire is larger than the size of the whole country of Singapore.

Steve Martin		31-Oct-2003 00:03
Those are some heart wrenching photos Dan. I'm at a loss to offer words of consolation to the people who have been victimized by this disaster. Hang in there... Peace and Health... -sm

Guest		30-Oct-2003 15:44
chilling photos ...

Dan Chusid		30-Oct-2003 13:07
Note: The magnitude of the damage here is incredible. We're not just talking vast amounts of land being swallowed up by flames but whole towns being turned to dust and ceasing to exist anymore. Historically significant areas are being obliterated and vaporized. I think that in the next few weeks you will begin to see the wide scope of this and just how intensive and consuming these fires were. For now, one can only imagine how this will affect society as a whole. This is not just another wildfire but a wide-reaching event of historical significance. Certainly a dark period for Southern California, let alone the rest of the world. - DC

Marie-H�l�ne Raletz		30-Oct-2003 12:20
We are used to fires in the South of France, and we've had our share this summer (a particularly bad year, with the drought), but I don't remember something as dreadful as what's been going on for over a week now in California... Appaling... ;-((((((( MH

Peter Bowden		30-Oct-2003 10:52
Amazing photos of an agonizing ordeal. I hope it ends soon.

Michael		30-Oct-2003 00:41
As an australian that lived through the Canberra Fires in Jan 03, I can really feel for these people. I wish them all the best and know that, like all of Australia did after the fires here, Americans will rally around these people and assist them to overcome this tragedy. They are all in my prayers. Michael

Joe Bean		29-Oct-2003 13:13
I feel sorry for every one who has lost

amphotog		29-Oct-2003 12:28
Pretty awful; good luck to you all. Remember, in the end, it's just "stuff". Save yourselves and pets.

Guest		29-Oct-2003 03:21
This is dreamscape. Hell on Earth. The air is horrible. When will it be over? We have our lives, and our home.

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