This is just the beginning! Our collection holds over 300 years of history, including rare newspapers, obituaries, marriage records, birth records, and so much more—most of which you won’t find anywhere else!
San Clemente fire legacy marked by 1976 blaze and sprinkler rule
The 1976 Camp Pendleton fire near San Clemente burned 2400 acres, destroyed 16 homes, and damaged 144. Fire Chief Ron Coleman, later California fire marshal, credits vast mutual aid and sparked California firefighting reforms including FIRESCOPE and residential sprinkler ordinances. He notes modern codes and stronger mutual aid reduce future risks despite new development on ridges. Bernice Ayer Middle School gains State and National School to Watch redesignation, with improvements in Academic Performance Index and dual language programs.
MENTIONED IN THIS ARTICLE
Orange County
Camp Pendleton
San Clemente
California
Ron Coleman
Coleman
International Association of Fire Chiefs
Elk Grove
Sacramento
Marie
Firescope
International Code Council
Orange County Fire Authority
Fullerton
Costa Mesa
National Fire Academy
Bernice Ayer
Capistrano Unified
Holly Feldt
Washington, D.C
Irvin Howard
Orange County Register
Capistrano
California Middle Grades Alliance
California League of Middle Schools
California Department of Education