On Monday August 19, 2002, the City of San Jose, California, experienced the worst fire loss in its history. By the time the day was over, 11 alarms would be dispatched to a large structure fire and the numerous exposure fires ignited by flying embers. Extinguishment required the combined effort of 221 firefighters and 65 pieces of apparatus. Fortunately, no one was killed and there were only minor injuries sustained by a number of firefighters.

At 15:36 hours, a 9-1-1 operator answered a call reporting a fire at the Santana Row development construction site. The caller stated that he could see flames and smoke billowing from the complex. Engines 10, 4, and 7; Trucks 4 and 14; and Battalions 10 and 1 were dispatched to the reported structure.

While enroute, Engine 10’s crew could see a heavy column of black smoke rising from the vicinity of the reported fire and requested a second alarm. Almost immediately thereafter, Battalion 10 upgraded the response to a third-alarm assignment before arriving at the scene. A fourth and fifth alarm soon were called for.

A 9-1-1 call was then received reporting roof fires approximately 1/2 mile south of the fire. Flying embers, some as large as two-by-fours, continued to ignite buildings in the area, including The Moorpark Garden Apartments and several townhouses at the Moorpark Village complex.