Canyon Fire memories haunt HV firefighters 10 years later

OMINOUS CLOUD:
In September 1999, high temperatures and winds fanned sparks from a dragging trailer into a fire that destroyed 63 Happy Valley homes.

Nearly 10 years ago, the horrendous Canyon Fire ripped through the community of Happy Valley.

What started out as a quiet Sunday morning in September quickly became the day from hell for firefighters and residents alike.

High temperatures combined with strong winds provided the perfect scenario for what was to come. A truck dragging a loading ramp sparked three separate blazes that quickly merged into one, sending a huge mushroom cloud of smoke into the blue sky. Within less than seven hours, 2,580 acres were burned, 63 homes were lost and Happy Valley was in a state of shock.

The fire began on Canyon Road and took off to the southwest driven by strong winds. Fire departments responded from throughout California, but the flames were moving too fast. Air tankers were responsible for saving the Happy Valley Elementary School on Palm Avenue and the fire hall across the street.

Many of those who lost homes did rebuild. Others moved away. The evidence of the fire may still be seen on Canyon Road and in other areas of Happy Valley.

This year, at the Happy Valley Volunteer's annual Bar-B-Que, the Canyon Fire will be remembered with 10th anniversary T-shirts offered for sale. The cost of the shirts will be $15.00 and up.

Even though the fire actually happened in September, firefighters decided that the annual Bar-B-Que would be a good time for remembering the bad and celebrating the good that came out of that unforgettable day.

No human lives were lost and no serious injuries were reported. The T-shirt features a map of the area consumed by the Canyon Fire.