RAMONA, Calif., Aug. 25 /PRNewswire/ -- The October 2003 Southern California wildfires claimed 800,000 acres of land, 3,657 homes and killed 22 people. In San Diego County, the Cedar Fire became the largest fire on record in state history.

SAN DIEGO - A volunteer firefighter who helped battle one of last month's wildfires in San Diego County pleaded guilty years ago to setting several destructive wildfires. Steven Santos Robles Jr.

By Bruce V. Bigelow, The San Diego Union-Tribune Nov. 4--Fire agencies surveying the charred remains from the devastating wildfires that swept through San Diego County have counted seven fatalities, 369,000 acres burned and nearly 1,700 homes destroyed.

WASHINGTON _ Smokey Bear is innocent after all. In a potentially high-stakes case, a federal judge has ruled the U.S. Forest Service's land management policies didn't cause a devastating 2003 California forest fire.

By BETH BARRETT; DANA BARTHOLOMEW As Southern California fire crews began to get a handle on more than a dozen blazes that scorched the region, experts said damage costs will soar past $1 billion and could make it one of the costliest fire seasons in state history.