Grand Prix Fire Death Toll at 22 in Southern California; FEMA Says Rain May Help

California (HDW) November 5, 2003 - Southern California Wildfires Are Nearing Full Containment
Two additional deaths have been reported as a result of the fires in San Bernardino County, bringing the total from the fires to 22.
The five wildfires still burning in Southern California are reaching containment. No structures are currently threatened. The status of the remaining fires is as follows:
- The Old Fire in San Bernardino County is 93 percent contained, a 10 percent increase in the last 24 hours. Full containment is estimated by November 8.
- The Paradise Fire in San Diego County is 80 percent contained, a five percent increase in the last 24 hours. Full containment is estimated by November 8.
- The Piru Fire in Ventura County is 85 percent contained, a five percent increase in the last 24 hours. Full containment is estimated by November 8.
- The Cedar Fire in San Diego County is fully contained today as was predicted yesterday.
- The Grand Prix Fire in San Bernardino County is 98 percent contained with full containment estimated for yesterday (November 4) but not yet confirmed.
- The weather forecast is for winds of 15 mph, with gusts to 30 mph. There is a chance of rain on Thursday.
Even as these devastating fires are reaching full containment, the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) reports that very high to extreme fire indices remain in California. For November precipitation is forecast to be below normal and in the second half of November temperatures are expected to be slightly above normal. A Local Assistance Center (LAC) opened in Valley Center (San Diego County) yesterday, bringing the total of assistance centers to ten.
The ASPECT aircraft is generating data under the mapping mission assignment for the San Diego County Cedar Fire. ASPECT has completed the mapping assignment for San Bernardino County. The aircraft was grounded yesterday due to weather conditions and today due to the restricted air space imposed by a VIP visit. ASPECT is also working with ESF-4 by performing damage assessment reconnaissance.
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