sweetapricity/bridgedeck-noaa huggingface dataset:
Marine Thunderstorm Wind in DULUTH MN TO PT WING WI, LAKE SUPERIOR
From 20-AUG-03 19:45:00 to 20-AUG-03 19:45:00 (CST)
Location: DULUTH
Magnitude: 52 MS
Reported by: MARINER

The wind was measured at the Sand Point Yacht club on Park Point by a member of the Power Squadron.
A severe thunderstorm dropped penny size hail and tore down numerous tree limbs in Chatsworth (Woodland Township).

Hail in BURLINGTON, NEW JERSEY
From 22-JUL-03 18:08:00 to 22-JUL-03 18:08:00 (EST)
Location: CHATSWORTH
Magnitude: 0.75 
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER

Thunderstorm Wind in BURLINGTON, NEW JERSEY
From 22-JUL-03 18:08:00 to 22-JUL-03 18:08:00 (EST)
Location: CHATSWORTH
Magnitude: 50 EG
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Marine Thunderstorm Wind in BISCAYNE BAY, ATLANTIC SOUTH
From 11-AUG-03 22:00:00 to 11-AUG-03 22:00:00 (EST)
Location: KEY BISCAYNE
Magnitude: 42 MG
Reported by: COASTAL OBSERVING STATION

The C-Man at Fowey Rocks Light measured a thunderstorm wind gust of 42 knots.
Waterspout in DEERFIELD BEACH TO OCEAN REEF FL, ATLANTIC SOUTH
From 09-AUG-03 08:10:00 to 09-AUG-03 08:10:00 (EST)
Location: PORT EVERGLADES
Reported by: AIRPLANE PILOT

A pilot reported a waterspout in the Atlantic.
Marine Thunderstorm Wind in BISCAYNE BAY, ATLANTIC SOUTH
From 08-AUG-03 20:00:00 to 08-AUG-03 20:00:00 (EST)
Location: KEY BISCAYNE
Magnitude: 40 MG
Reported by: DEPT OF HIGHWAYS

The C-Man station at Fowey Rocks measured a thunderstorm wind gust of 40 knots.
A severe thunderstorm knocked down several trees at the intersection of River and Centennial Roads in Piscataway Township and forced road closures.  Public Service Electric and Gas reported about 18,000 of its customers lost power because of the series of severe thunderstorms in central New Jersey. Hardest hit in Middlesex County were Edison and Piscataway Townships.

Thunderstorm Wind in MIDDLESEX, NEW JERSEY
From 22-JUL-03 13:00:00 to 22-JUL-03 13:00:00 (EST)
Location: PISATAWAY
Magnitude: 52 EG
Reported by: METEOROLOGIST(NON NWS)
Penny size hail fell in Metuchen. Pea size hail also occurred in nearby Avenel (Woodbridge Township).

Hail in MIDDLESEX, NEW JERSEY
From 22-JUL-03 13:15:00 to 22-JUL-03 13:15:00 (EST)
Location: METUCHEN
Magnitude: 0.75 
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Trees downed and shed destroyed.

Thunderstorm Wind in CASSIA, IDAHO
From 15-AUG-03 18:30:00 to 15-AUG-03 18:45:00 (MST)
Location: OAKLEY
Magnitude: 55 EG
Property damage: 1K
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
Lightning struck and killed an 8 year old 1,000 pound cow in Moreland.

Lightning in BINGHAM, IDAHO
From 22-AUG-03 18:00:00 to 22-AUG-03 18:05:00 (MST)
Location: MORELAND
Property damage: .5K
Reported by: NEWSPAPER
Tree blown down on top of car and power lines blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind in LINCOLN, IDAHO
From 15-AUG-03 18:40:00 to 15-AUG-03 18:50:00 (MST)
Location: SHOSHONE
Magnitude: 55 EG
Property damage: 4K
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
3/4 inch hail on interstate 15.

Hail in BINGHAM, IDAHO
From 08-AUG-03 15:12:00 to 08-AUG-03 15:22:00 (MST)
Location: SHELLEY
Magnitude: 0.75 
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER
An isolated thunderstorm produced a radar-estimated 3 to 4 inches of rain and caused roads and streets to flood in the town of Gilford.

Flash Flood in BELKNAP, NEW HAMPSHIRE
From 05-AUG-03 18:30:00 to 05-AUG-03 19:30:00 (EST)
Location: GILFORD
Reported by: GOVT OFFICIAL
Thunderstorm Wind in BUNCOMBE, NORTH CAROLINA
From 01-AUG-03 15:08:00 to 01-AUG-03 15:08:00 (EST)
Location: ARDEN
Magnitude: 50 EG
Property damage: 5K
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER

Several trees were blown down. One tree fell on a mobile home.
Lightning in YORK, SOUTH CAROLINA
From 14-AUG-03 18:30:00 to 14-AUG-03 18:30:00 (EST)
Location: ROCK HILL
Property damage: 15K
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT

Lightning ignited a fire at a business.
Heavy Rain in GASTON, NORTH CAROLINA
From 14-AUG-03 19:15:00 to 14-AUG-03 19:15:00 (EST)
Location: GASTONIA
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Heavy rain resulted in standing water on I-85 near the highway 321 exit. One lane of the interstate was closed.
Lightning in CLEVELAND, NORTH CAROLINA
From 14-AUG-03 20:00:00 to 14-AUG-03 20:00:00 (EST)
Location: SHELBY
Property damage: 10K
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT

A couple of house fires were started by lightning strikes.
The combination of hot and dry conditions along with dry lightning and wind events, led to widespread wildfires in western Montana. 750,000 acres burned in western Montana forests in August with 46 structures lost. The Wedge Fire in northern Flathead County, burned 35 homes, while the Black Mountain 2 fire west of Missoula, burned 5 homes.

Wildfire in SANDERS, MONTANA
From 01-AUG-03 00:00:00 to 30-AUG-03 00:00:00 (MST)
Location: THOMPSON FALLS
Reported by: PARK/FOREST SERVICE

Wildfire in RAVALLI, MONTANA
From 01-AUG-03 00:00:00 to 30-AUG-03 00:00:00 (MST)
Location: COUNTYWIDE
Reported by: PARK/FOREST SERVICE

Wildfire in FLATHEAD, MONTANA
From 01-AUG-03 00:00:00 to 30-AUG-03 00:00:00 (MST)
Location: COUNTYWIDE
Reported by: PARK/FOREST SERVICE

Wildfire in MINERAL, MONTANA
From 01-AUG-03 00:00:00 to 30-AUG-03 00:00:00 (MST)
Location: SUPERIOR
Reported by: PARK/FOREST SERVICE

Wildfire in MISSOULA, MONTANA
From 01-AUG-03 00:00:00 to 30-AUG-03 00:00:00 (MST)
Location: COUNTYWIDE
Reported by: PARK/FOREST SERVICE
Law enforcement officials observed several small trees that were blown down onto a road from thunderstorm wind gusts.

Thunderstorm Wind in GREENE, MISSOURI
From 27-AUG-03 15:10:00 to 27-AUG-03 15:10:00 (CST)
Location: SPRINGFIELD
Magnitude: 65 EG
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC
Several large trees were downed from thunderstorm wind gusts.

Thunderstorm Wind in GREENE, MISSOURI
From 27-AUG-03 15:20:00 to 27-AUG-03 15:20:00 (CST)
Location: SPRINGFIELD
Magnitude: 65 EG
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC
Thunderstorm Wind in WASHINGTON, NEBRASKA
From 09-JUL-03 02:40:00 to 09-JUL-03 02:40:00 (CST)
Location: BLAIR
Magnitude: 50 EG
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT

Thunderstorm wind gusts estimated at over 60 mph caused a large tree to fall on a house.
Thunderstorm Wind in SHELBY, IOWA
From 09-JUL-03 03:00:00 to 09-JUL-03 03:00:00 (CST)
Location: SHELBY
Magnitude: 50 EG
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT

Thunderstorm wind gusts estimated at around 60 mph blew a metal storage shed down.
Hail in RICHARDSON, NEBRASKA
From 09-JUL-03 15:35:00 to 09-JUL-03 15:42:00 (CST)
Location: SHUBERT
Magnitude: 1.50 
Reported by: FIRE DEPT/RESCUE SQUAD

Hail up to 1.5 inches in diameter fell in Shubert.
Thunderstorm Wind in ST. FRANCIS, ARKANSAS
From 20-AUG-03 15:00:00 to 20-AUG-03 15:05:00 (CST)
Location: FORREST CITY
Magnitude: 50 EG
Property damage: 5K
Reported by: NEWSPAPER

Some tree limbs and power lines were knocked down.
Thunderstorm Wind in SCOTT, ARKANSAS
From 01-AUG-03 20:45:00 to 01-AUG-03 20:45:00 (CST)
Location: COUNTYWIDE
Magnitude: 50 EG
Reported by: UTILITY COMPANY

Numerous power poles and power lines were blown down across the county.  A number of power outages resulted in the downed lines.
Several trees were blown down on power lines.

Thunderstorm Wind in JEFFERSON DAVIS, LOUISIANA
From 21-AUG-03 15:21:00 to 21-AUG-03 15:21:00 (CST)
Location: ELTON
Magnitude: 50 EG
Property damage: 5K
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC
The roof was blown off a day car center. Several trees were also blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind in CALCASIEU, LOUISIANA
From 21-AUG-03 15:30:00 to 21-AUG-03 15:30:00 (CST)
Location: LAKE CHARLES
Magnitude: 50 EG
Property damage: 50K
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC
Named the Grand Prix Fire, this fire was started by arsonist on October 21, 2003. It burned 59,448 acres before being fully contained on  November 5, 2003. During the first seven days, the fire increased rapidly in size and burned across freeways, railways, and into the communities of Glen Helen, Cajon Canyon, Mt. Baldy Village, Lytle Creek, Rancho Cucamonga, and Fontana. It destroyed 135 houses, 60 outbuildings, 1 commercial property, 1 helicopter, 11 cars, 1 boat, 1 trailer, and several miles of utility and highway infrastructure. It also damaged another 71 houses and 10 outbuildings. Atmospheric conditions preceding the fire were: maximum temperatures near 105 degrees, minimum relative humidity around 5%, and winds from the northeast 10 to 20 mph during the night and morning hours, switching to southwest 5-10 mph during the afternoon hours. After the fire started, the afternoon southwest winds became more dominate, and the fire generally was wind driven. On October 24, the predominate wind direction returned to northeast and gusted 40 to 70 mph with relative humidities ranging from a minimum of 3% to a maximum of 28%.  On October 25, when the northeast winds temporarily relaxed, the fire became plume dominated as the heat column rose into the dry and unstable mid and upper layers. During this time and for about 30 minutes following the collapse of the plume, fire whirls were observed. On October 26, the west flank of the Old Fire and the east flank of the Grand Prix Fire merged in the Cajon Pass, forming a 30 mile long flaming front. The west flank of the Grand Prix Fire that had now burned into Los Angeles County and the Angeles National Forest, was renamed the Padua Fire for administrative purposes. Smoke from these fires forced the closure of air traffic for four hours at Ontario, Los Angeles, Burbank, and Orange County airports. On the 8th day of the fires, the northeast winds finally relaxed. The following day, October 29, the wind flow switched to the southwest, and the air mass moistened rapidly. Through the remaining days of October and into early November, precipitation fell over the fire area, with rainfall averaging from 0.25 to over 1.00 inch, while 3 to 12 inches of snow fell at elevations above 6500 feet. However, the fire though not as active, was not fully contained when the month of October ended.

Wildfire in SAN BERNARDINO, CALIFORNIA
From 21-OCT-03 14:22:00 to 31-OCT-03 23:59:00 (PST)
Location: FONTANA
Property damage: 50M
Reported by: NEWSPAPER
Lightning in UNION, NORTH CAROLINA
From 16-AUG-03 09:30:00 to 16-AUG-03 09:30:00 (EST)
Location: INDIAN TRAIL
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER

Two people were struck by lightning.
Heavy Rain in ANDERSON, SOUTH CAROLINA
From 16-AUG-03 16:00:00 to 16-AUG-03 16:00:00 (EST)
Location: BELTON
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT

Several streets were covered with 4 to 8 inches of water due to heavy rainfall.
High wind from a thunderstorm led to power transmission line damage, subsequent power outage, and reports from spotters of visibility restrictions from blowing dust in the Lindsay area on the 20th due to a collapsing thunderstorm cell. A lightning strike ignited a stack of 800 bales of hay southwest of Porterville as well as two other locations within the city limits of Porterville.

Lightning in TULARE, CALIFORNIA
From 20-AUG-03 20:13:00 to 20-AUG-03 20:13:00 (PST)
Location: PORTERVILLE
Crop damage: 40K
Reported by: NEWSPAPER

Thunderstorm Wind in TULARE, CALIFORNIA
From 20-AUG-03 20:20:00 to 20-AUG-03 20:35:00 (PST)
Location: LINDSAY
Magnitude: 50 EG
Property damage: 5K
Reported by: NEWSPAPER

Lightning in TULARE, CALIFORNIA
From 20-AUG-03 20:56:00 to 20-AUG-03 20:56:00 (PST)
Location: PORTERVILLE
Property damage: 1K
Reported by: NEWSPAPER

Lightning in TULARE, CALIFORNIA
From 20-AUG-03 21:27:00 to 20-AUG-03 21:27:00 (PST)
Location: PORTERVILLE
Property damage: 1K
Reported by: NEWSPAPER
Two instances of broken tree limbs in Reedley in the Central San Joaquin Valley along the Sierra foothills resulted in power outages from damaged power lines.  Over 2200 Reedley residents were without power on the evening of the 21st due to continued thunderstorm activity over the east Valley floor.

Thunderstorm Wind in FRESNO, CALIFORNIA
From 21-AUG-03 19:05:00 to 21-AUG-03 19:05:00 (PST)
Location: REEDLEY
Magnitude: 40 EG
Property damage: 5K
Reported by: NEWSPAPER
Thunderstorms developed ahead of a warm front that moved north across Wisconsin and Lake Michigan.  These storms produced a wind gust of 52 knots at the Green Bay Harbor Entrance Light located 80 feet above the surface.

Marine Thunderstorm Wind in BAY OF GREEN BAY S OF LN MARINETTE TO FISH CREEK WI, LAKE MICHIGAN
From 28-AUG-03 17:40:00 to 28-AUG-03 17:40:00 (CST)
Location: GREEN BAY LIGHT
Magnitude: 52 MG
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC
Law enforcement officials observed large trees that were downed over farm road 220 from thunderstorm wind gusts.

Thunderstorm Wind in HICKORY, MISSOURI
From 01-AUG-03 23:20:00 to 01-AUG-03 23:20:00 (CST)
Location: PRESTON
Magnitude: 65 EG
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT
Thunderstorm wind gusts blew a roof off of a fire house in Willow Springs.

Thunderstorm Wind in HOWELL, MISSOURI
From 01-AUG-03 16:15:00 to 01-AUG-03 16:15:00 (CST)
Location: WILLOW SPGS
Magnitude: 80 EG
Reported by: BROADCAST MEDIA
Thunderstorm Wind in COLFAX, NEBRASKA
From 05-JUL-03 22:25:00 to 05-JUL-03 22:25:00 (CST)
Location: SCHUYLER
Magnitude: 55 EG
Reported by: NEWSPAPER

Thunderstorm wind gusts estimated at over 60 mph uprooted cottonwood trees in the Schuyler area.
Thunderstorm Wind in KNOX, NEBRASKA
From 05-JUL-03 19:40:00 to 05-JUL-03 19:40:00 (CST)
Location: BLOOMFIELD
Magnitude: 50 EG
Reported by: NEWSPAPER

Thunderstorm wind gusts estimated at 60 mph broke large tree limbs in Bloomfield and stripped some cornfields near town.
Thunderstorm Wind in DODGE, NEBRASKA
From 05-JUL-03 22:42:00 to 05-JUL-03 22:42:00 (CST)
Location: NICKERSON
Magnitude: 55 EG
Reported by: NEWSPAPER

Thunderstorm winds estimated at over 60 mph blew the window out of a trailer house in Nickerson.
Thunderstorm Wind in MONONA, IOWA
From 20-JUL-03 18:00:00 to 20-JUL-03 18:00:00 (CST)
Location: RODNEY
Magnitude: 55 EG
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER

Thunderstorm wind gusts estimated at over 60 mph downed a few large trees and power poles in town.
Thunderstorm Wind in MONONA, IOWA
From 20-JUL-03 18:25:00 to 20-JUL-03 18:25:00 (CST)
Location: RODNEY
Magnitude: 60 EG
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER

The second supercell in less than an hour passed through northern Monona county producing wind damage around Rodney.  This time winds were estimated at over 70 mph as several trees were downed.  The trees knocked down three power poles, and also caused damage to a few homes.
Thunderstorm Wind in MONONA, IOWA
From 20-JUL-03 18:30:00 to 20-JUL-03 18:30:00 (CST)
Location: SOLDIER
Magnitude: 60 EG
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT

Thunderstorm wind gusts estimated at 70 mph downed trees which blocked a few roads west of Soldier.
Thunderstorm Wind in PLATTE, NEBRASKA
From 05-JUL-03 22:15:00 to 05-JUL-03 22:15:00 (CST)
Location: COLUMBUS
Magnitude: 53 MG
Reported by: AWOS,ASOS,MESONET,ETC

Thunderstorm winds were measured at 61 mph at the Columbus airport with winds possibly stronger in parts of town.  Particularly hard hit was the south part of town near the Van Berg Golf Course where many large tree limbs and several trees were broke or uprooted.
Thunderstorm Wind in THURSTON, NEBRASKA
From 05-JUL-03 22:07:00 to 05-JUL-03 22:07:00 (CST)
Location: WALTHILL
Magnitude: 60 EG
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT

Thunderstorm wind gusts estimated at 70 mph caused extensive blowing dust and blew several trees and power lines down.  One large tree limb fell on a house.
Thunderstorm Wind in BUTLER, NEBRASKA
From 05-JUL-03 22:20:00 to 05-JUL-03 22:20:00 (CST)
Location: BELLWOOD
Magnitude: 60 EG
Reported by: FIRE DEPT/RESCUE SQUAD

Thunderstorm winds estimated at 70 mph or more downed many trees in town.
Thunderstorm Wind in PLATTE, NEBRASKA
From 05-JUL-03 22:25:00 to 05-JUL-03 22:25:00 (CST)
Location: DUNCAN
Magnitude: 50 EG
Reported by: EMERGENCY MANAGER

Thunderstorm wind gusts of 60 mph were estimated in Duncan.  Tree damage was observed.
Several trees and power lines were blown down.

Thunderstorm Wind in BEAUREGARD, LOUISIANA
From 21-AUG-03 15:30:00 to 21-AUG-03 15:30:00 (CST)
Location: DE RIDDER
Magnitude: 50 EG
Property damage: 5K
Reported by: GENERAL PUBLIC
Thunderstorms also dropped very heavy rain across the central portion of Berks County. For locations north of the Reading, this was the second consecutive day of thunderstorms with heavy rain. This produced flash flooding of streams and poor drainage flooding in Reading. Doppler radar storm total estimates were 2 to 3 inches in the affected areas. In Reading, several cars were submerged around 6th and Greenwich Streets. In Wyomissing, about five motorists were stranded by flooding along the Wyomissing Creek near the Berkshire Mall. In Perry Township, basement flooding was as high as three feet. In Muhlenberg Township, flooding occurred along Pennsylvania State Route 61. Stream flooding rushed through an indoor skateboarding park and muddy flood waters drained into the Schlegal Park Pool. The Manatawny Creek in Spangsville was above its 6 foot flood stage from 109 a.m. through 511 a.m. EDT on the 23rd. It crested at 6.52 feet at 315 a.m. EDT. Storm totals included 1.95 inches in Reading and 1.71 inches in Bechtelsville.

Flash Flood in BERKS, PENNSYLVANIA
From 22-JUL-03 18:15:00 to 23-JUL-03 04:11:00 (EST)
Location: CENTRAL PORTION
Reported by: NEWSPAPER
Lightning struck and damaged the chimney of the Norwood Inn in Avon-by-the-Sea Borough. The strike caused bricks to fly onto the street and sidewalk.

Lightning in MONMOUTH, NEW JERSEY
From 22-JUL-03 19:00:00 to 22-JUL-03 19:00:00 (EST)
Location: AVON BY THE SEA
Crop damage: 0
Reported by: NEWSPAPER
A severe thunderstorm caused wind damage along the 5th Avenue Beach in Belmar. The wind blew a tent erected for a professional volleyball tournament and knocked over a television tower built for the event.

Marine Thunderstorm Wind in SANDY HOOK TO MANASQUAN INLET NJ OUT 20NM, ATLANTIC NORTH
From 22-JUL-03 18:50:00 to 22-JUL-03 18:50:00 (EST)
Location: BELMAR
Magnitude: 50 EG
Crop damage: 0
Reported by: NEWSPAPER
Thunderstorm Wind in OSCEOLA, FLORIDA
From 25-JUL-03 17:50:00 to 25-JUL-03 17:50:00 (EST)
Location: ST CLOUD
Magnitude: 50 EG
Property damage: 10K
Crop damage: 0
Reported by: GOVT OFFICIAL

Thunderstorm winds blew down trees, power lines and damaged a shed.
Thunderstorm Wind in ORANGE, FLORIDA
From 29-JUL-03 18:33:00 to 29-JUL-03 18:33:00 (EST)
Location: ORLANDO INTL ARPT
Magnitude: 50 MG
Property damage: 0
Crop damage: 0
Reported by: OFFICIAL NWS OBS.

Thunderstorm winds produced a wind gust to 50 knots at Orlando International Airport.

Thunderstorm Wind in VOLUSIA, FLORIDA
From 29-JUL-03 19:10:00 to 29-JUL-03 19:10:00 (EST)
Location: OSTEEN
Magnitude: 50 EG
Property damage: 0
Crop damage: 0
Reported by: FIRE DEPT/RESCUE SQUAD

Thunderstorm winds blew down trees and power lines.

Thunderstorm Wind in ORANGE, FLORIDA
From 29-JUL-03 19:00:00 to 29-JUL-03 19:00:00 (EST)
Location: BELLE ISLE
Magnitude: 50 EG
Property damage: 0
Crop damage: 0
Reported by: BROADCAST MEDIA

Thunderstorm winds blew down trees in Belle Isle.

Thunderstorm Wind in OSCEOLA, FLORIDA
From 29-JUL-03 18:40:00 to 29-JUL-03 18:40:00 (EST)
Location: KISSIMMEE
Magnitude: 50 EG
Property damage: 0
Crop damage: 0
Reported by: LAW ENFORCEMENT

Thunderstorm winds uprooted trees in Kissimmee.
A thunderstorm with very heavy rainfall moved through Pendleton County during the afternoon and evening of the 9th.  Officials reported up to 1.5 feet of water running across Route 21 near Sugar Grove from Dry Run.  A portion of the road was washed out near the community of Crummetts Run, just south of Sugar Grove.  A private bridge was also washed away. Other ditches and shoulders were washed out in Friends Run, Reeds Creek, and Johnson Hollow after heavy rain fell on North Mountain.  In Harper Gap on the northern end of Germany Valley, rock and wood debris caused a creek to back up.  Unofficial rainfall totals included as much as 6 inches at Crummetts Run and 4.8 inches on the eastern side of Simmons Mountain.  In Grant County, a total of 1.5 inches of rain was recorded in only 30 minutes in Petersburg.

Heavy Rain in GRANT, WEST VIRGINIA
From 09-AUG-03 18:00:00 to 09-AUG-03 19:00:00 (EST)
Location: COUNTYWIDE
Reported by: TRAINED SPOTTER

Flash Flood in PENDLETON, WEST VIRGINIA
From 09-AUG-03 17:45:00 to 09-AUG-03 20:00:00 (EST)
Location: COUNTYWIDE
Reported by: NEWSPAPER

Route 21 was washed out when Dry Run overflowed.
Named the Old Fire, this fire was started by an arsonist on October 25. It consumed 91,200 acres before it was fully contained on November 5, 2003. During the month of October, it destroyed 850 houses, 10 commercial buildings, 1460 power poles, 220 electrical transformers, several miles of highway and utility infrastructure. It also damaged another 35 houses. The entire San Bernardino Mountain range was evacuated. An estimated 80,000 people were evacuated during the first day, and this caused a 28 mile long traffic jam on Highway 18. Eventually the foothill communities of Silverwood Lake, South Hesperia, Oak Hills, Summit Valley, Telephone Canyon, and Las Flores were also evacuated. Smoke, ash, and/or flames from the fire severely impacted and/or halted ground, air, and rail transportation into and out of Southwest California several times. Atmospheric conditions preceding it's start and during the first four days were: high temperatures 90 to 100 degrees, relative humidity ranging from 3 percent during the day to 20 percent at night, and predominate north to northeast winds. The condition and loading of the fuels also caused the fire to grow upwind and up slope against 25 to 50 mph winds. On the first day of the fire, it destroyed 400 houses and 10 commercial buildings. By the second day it had merged with the east flank of the Grand Prix Fire. By the third day when the northeast winds were no longer dominate, it burned over the ridge line, through the Cajon Pass, and down the high desert steppe towards Hesperia. On the fourth day, Wednesday Oct. 29th, an increase in southwest flow caused the southeast flank of the fire to grow rapidly towards Big Bear Lake. Wind gusts over 40 mph were measured across the ridges. Moisture increased rapidly over the next several days and light rain fell along the coastal slopes and ridge tops. As the month of October closed, the fire was still active and hooking around the northwest and northeast side of the San Bernardino Mountain range, threatening to burn up the north slope and into the resort communities.

Wildfire in SAN BERNARDINO, CALIFORNIA
From 25-OCT-03 09:00:00 to 31-OCT-03 23:59:00 (PST)
Location: SAN BERNARDINO
Property damage: 696.4M
Reported by: NEWSPAPER