Esperanza Fire

The Esperanza Fire was a large, wind-driven, arson-caused wildfire that started on October 26, 2006, in a river wash near Cabazon, California, west of Palm Springs, California. By October 29, 2006, it had burned over 41,173 acres (166.62 km2) (or 61 square miles (160 km2)) and was 85% contained. On October 30, 2006, the fire was fully contained.

Esperanza Fire
NASA satellite image of the Esperanza Fire
Date(s)
  • October 26, 2006 (2006-10-26) –
  • November 1, 2006 (2006-11-01)
LocationCabazon, California
Coordinates33.9139°N 116.7548°W / 33.9139; -116.7548
Statistics
Burned area41,173 acres (64.333 sq mi)
Land useResidential; Open space
Impacts
Deaths
  • 5 firefighters
Non-fatal injuries
  • 12 firefighters
Structures destroyed
  • 34 homes
  • 20 outbuildings
Damage$9.9 million
Ignition
CauseArson
Perpetrator(s)Raymond Lee Oyler
Map
Location of fire in California

Five firefighters died defending a vacant house locally known as the "Octagon" that was ultimately destroyed by the fire: Jason McKay, Jess McLean, Daniel Kurtis Najera, Mark Loutzenhiser and Pablo Cerda.

In June 2009, Raymond Lee Oyler was sentenced to death for starting the fire.

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