SAN DIEGO FIRE EMERGENCY

Charred American flag sits on fence outside burnt out shell of home in Crest, California on September 28th, 2003. 202 homes were lost in the Crest neighborhood. Fires spread from Ramona southwest to enter San Diego city limits with all fires consuming approx. 274,000 acres, burning 1000 structures, leaving 12 fatalities to date. (UPI/TOM THEOBALD).