Fire leaves a burning question

Greg Risling

COSTA MESA -- City officials are puzzled about what caused a palm tree to

mysteriously catch fire in front of City Hall on Monday morning.

No one could explain the unusual event, given there were no electrical

wires near the palm tree that stands about 50 feet tall. There was

speculation that high winds, gusting up to 25 mph, might have contributed

to the fire.

A city employee noticed the tree ablaze about 9:45 a.m. A 10-foot section

about halfway up the tree was on fire, sending flames in an easterly

direction.

Firefighters managed to extinguish the flames from a nearby platform

within minutes. No one was injured and city employees were never in

danger.

“There was no threat of the building catching fire,” said Barbara

Marcosa, public information officer for the Costa Mesa Fire Department.

“There was no need to evacuate people.”

The strong Santa Ana winds that swirl through Orange County every fall

can make firefighters’ jobs difficult. The gusts can pose a serious

danger in rural areas should a blaze start.

Firefighters are always on alert in cities because the potential for a

wind-generated fire remains a constant threat.

“We have a much higher awareness of a major fire hazard when there are

winds like this,” said Costa Mesa Battalion Chief Christopher Riley.

“It’s real common for power lines to create electrical hazards. For

instance, if something catches fire, the big concern is the flying debris

that can carry several blocks and start another blaze.”

But will firefighters be able to determine the cause of Monday’s fire

near City Hall? An investigation is underway, but Marcosa still contends

the wind played a part.

“It’s very, very unusual because there weren’t any electrical wires

nearby,” she said. “With the high winds, I suppose anything is possible.”