Service assessment

"Hot, dry offshore winds, known as Santa Ana Winds in southern California, coupled with long-term abnormally dry conditions across the area, set the stage for one of the more costly natural disasters in California history. During late October into early November 2003, fourteen wind driven wildfires swept across Southern California. These wildfires killed 22 people, destroyed 3,600 homes, charred nearly 740,000 acres of land, and caused more than $2 billion in property damage. Casualties and property loss were highest in the San Diego metropolitan area. These losses were a result of the Cedar Fire moving into urban areas on Sunday, October 26, 2003. Due to the magnitude of this event, we formed a service assessment team to examine the forecast and warning services provided to land managers, fire control personnel, emergency planners, media and the public. Service assessments provide a valuable contribution to ongoing efforts by the National Weather Service (NWS) to improve the quality, timeliness, and value of our products and services. Findings and recommendations from this assessment will improve techniques, products, services, and information provided to our partners and the American Public"--Preface.

National Weather Service (NWS)

California