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 Previous: More 5-GHz Spectrum Sought for Wireless Networking Devices |  Next: The Amateur Amateur: Assaulting the Battery II |
 ARES Emergency Coordinators Bill Dewey, WD6AHW (right), and his father Wayne Dewey, WD6AHX, served as the net control operators and directed all radio communications on the Fallbrook Amateur Radio Club's repeaters. |
NEWINGTON, CT, Feb 12, 2002--Amateur Radio operators from the ARRL San Diego Section have been assisting the American Red Cross and local agencies in responding to the larger of two West Coast wildfires. "ARES and RACES have been activated to assist with the fire in Fallbrook," said ARRL San Diego Section Manager Kent Tiburski, K6FQ. "Our hams quickly mobilized to provide damage assessment, man shelters and assist the Red Cross with communications."
The fire, driven by intense Santa Ana winds
in excess of 50 MPH, erupted February 10. The
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection said flames have claimed
some 30 homes and 10 other buildings, and about a dozen people received minor
injuries. In addition, two fire trucks and a sheriff's vehicle were lost. So
far, the fire has burned more than 3000 acres and now is adjacent to Camp Pendleton, some 40 miles north of San
Diego.
 A view of the fire plume as seen from a distance on February 10. The fire spread along the western portion of the Santa Margarita River basin and leveled a number of houses within blocks of downtown Fallbrook. The home of Joel Brown, KE6FHS, was still standing as of Monday, but some of his neighbors' were lost. "The fence between his house and the one next door reportedly burnt to the ground," Bob Gonsett, W6VR, said. |
Bob Gonsett, W6VR, of the Fallbrook Amateur Radio Club said this week that residents of 200 homes were evacuated to a shelter set up at Fallbrook High School. "Amateur Radio operators were posted at key points in the community, including the fire department, the sheriff's department, the hospital and the evacuation centers for people and animals," Gonsett said. "Some provided mobile communications for animal rescue operations."
 Amateur Radio operators from far and wide came to the aid of Fallbrook. Pictured is Jesse Mauk, KD6YEI, of San Diego--wiping his slate clean and getting ready to staff the San Diego County radio communications van. [Bob Gonsett, W6VR, Photos] |
Amateurs were making use of the club's repeaters for emergency and logistical traffic involved with the evacuations and shelters. Some hams also are directly supporting fire and police efforts, Gonsett said. He said nearly 30 amateurs have been involved in the response so far. "This was the second time that the Fallbrook repeater has been used to assist the community during an emergency," Gonsett noted. He said the first emergency use was during a 1993 flood.
Gonsett said the Fallbrook ham net terminated its operation February 11. "Red Cross damage assessment teams are currently in the field," he said. "Some ham activity continues in support of their efforts on one of the Palomar Amateur Radio Club machines."
"The voluntary, non-profit basis of Amateur Radio has proven its worth once again," Gonsett said.
Although the Fallbrook fire was said to be only 20 percent contained, news reports indicate that the Santa Ana winds have died down. Some 750 firefighters are involved in efforts to quell the brushfire, and the diminished winds have permitted the building of fire breaks.
Fire crews reportedly expect to have a second brush fire near Anaheim
under control by Wednesday evening.
| Previous: More 5-GHz Spectrum Sought for Wireless Networking Devices | Next: The Amateur Amateur: Assaulting the Battery II |
