Perfect firestorm rides winds that brought great waves

By: MICHAEL WILLIS - Commentary | Sunday, October 28, 2007 10:06 PM PDT ∞

Surfers and other watermen sometimes talk about the perfect storm, a storm were all the individual conditions and elements that can create storms come together perfectly to create a massive superstorm. Perfect storms do not happen regularly; in fact, sometimes there may not be one for years if not decades. But when they do happen, anything could happen, including complete and utter disaster.

Residents in San Diego city and county recently experienced the perfect firestorm when extremely high temperatures, dry air conditions, strong easterly prevailing winds and fire came together, thus igniting a massive firestorm. At one point in the firestorm there was a very real possibility flames would consume everything from mountain to coast. Affected beach communities threatened by fire were Carmel Valley, Del Mar, Solana Beach, Encinitas and Carlsbad.   

The day of the firestorm the waves were just about as perfect as they ever get. Taking advantage of the strong offshore winds produced by the Santa Ana conditions and the superb waves, my brother Milton and I were surfing the beach break waves in Del Mar.

Besides the strong offshore winds, there were no indications that this day was any different from any other. Just as with any Santa Ana condition, the air was extremely warm and dry. So dry in fact that if a surfer fell off his surfboard and got completely wet he would be almost completely dry a few minutes later.

And then came the first smell of smoke. Barely detectable but definitely present, the air smelled like wisps of someone's BBQ, or perhaps a fire in the fireplace. It was not long after, from where we were sitting in the lineup, that we could see smoke beginning to rise up from the inland hills. With the steady cloud of smoke growing larger and coming closer by the minute we could tell the fire was large. As the smell of smoke grew stronger so did the smoke and ashes coming from the sky.

City and state officials began responding to the emergency. Thanks to quick-acting government officials, brave local and nonlocal firefighters, law enforcement organizations, radio stations and even private citizens all working together, a disaster of catastrophic proportions was averted. Almost immediately reverse 911 calls were placed warning those most in jeopardy to evacuate to safety. Evacuation shelters were set up with food, water and basic supplies not just for humans but their pets and other animals as well.

And then there were the private citizens who came through for their fellow San Diegans in time of need. At Qualcomm Stadium there were as many volunteers helping out as there were evacuees. There were countless instances of neighbors helping neighbors. At the height of the fire, my brother Eugene used his own horse trailers and time to rescue neighbors' horses though in real danger himself. Others also rose to the challenge offering places to stay, food and shelter for complete strangers.

Unfortunately houses did burn and lives and property were affected, but the damage and disaster could have been much worse. We were in a tough and unpredictable fight, but thanks to government officials, firefighters ---- as well as private citizens ---- we won. Condolences go out to those who suffered losses, and real praise goes out for those who helped keep losses to a minimum.

Michael Willis lives in Del Mar. He and his identical twin brother, Milton, a Solana Beach resident, are pioneers of the North County surf scene.