Esperanza Fire

Common card · No. 449104

The Esperanza Fire was a large, arson-caused wildfire that started on October 26, 2006, in a river wash near Banning, California, United States, west of Palm Springs. The fire experienced an area ignition, with a disputed cause. The incident report's investigation, published by the United States Forest Service, suggests that the ignition was caused by the Santa Ana winds near 7:00 am. On the day of the fire's ignition, several Forest Service engines from the San Bernardino National Forest were overwhelmed by the fire. One engine, E57, lost its entire crew defending a vacant house, locally known as the Octagon House, that was ultimately destroyed by the fire. By October 29, it had burned over 41,173 acres (166.62 km2), and 85% contained. On October 30, the fire was fully contained. Five firefighters were killed defending the Octagon House: Jason McKay, Jess McLean, Daniel Kurtis Najera, Mark Loutzenhiser and Pablo Cerda. The fire was ignited by Raymond Lee Oyler, a serial arsonist who lit...

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