When it hit in 2003, the Cedar fire was largest wildfire in California's recorded history. Along with the Paradise fire and the Otay fire, 13 percent of San Diego County burned.
Smoke stretched from the backcountry to the beach. Ash fluttered like snow. Authorities warned the devastating fires could reach the coast. Everyone was in disbelief. It's been 20 years now, but the 2003 firestorms, led by the deadly Cedar fire, remain part of San Diego County's collective consciousness. The Cedar fire, followed quickly by the deadly Paradise fire and the Otay fire, held the region under siege for days.
But they lost each other in the smoke and fire on the driveway and the roads. Lori and John Roach, fleeing in their pickup, made it out of the flames and finally pulled over. He had to lean back and kick open the driver's door just to get out; it had warped in the fire. Lori froze. 'I just stood in the middle of the street like I couldn't move, and everything around me seemed like it was moving slowly.' Her body swayed in the whoosh of a passing firetruck.
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