From the ashes of the Cedar Fire, a Phoenix rose, a magnificent creature that shows the anguish, anger and ultimate resilience of those affected by the fire from October 2003. The Phoenix, in the form of a charred tree turned into a sculpture, shares more than 450 years of California history, yet symbolizes one of the worst fires in California history.

The Phoenix has risen from the ashes into a 16-foot-tall rearing stallion that weighs approximately 5,000 pounds. The sculptor, Alexandre Safonov, was so moved by the stories of the loss, and anguish of the fire-related events, and from the beauty of the countryside of Lake Cuyamaca, that he was compelled to sculpt this piece of art.

Alex Safonov had a feeling when he saw this gigantic Coulter Pine. It was more than 150 feet tall and had lived more than 450 years. Its history begins with Cabrillo's arrival into San Diego as a seedling in the mid 1500s. It was a mature tree when the first Spanish Mission was founded in San Diego in 1769; when the U.S. achieved independence from Britain in 1776; when California became a state in 1850; and when man flew to the moon for the first time in 1969. Its life ended in 2003 when the Cedar Fire engulfed it.

The Cedar Fire displaced families, communities and animals from all over San Diego County. During the fire, horses were brought to the Del Mar Fairgrounds to escape the terror and receive medical attention and care.

The Phoenix is a symbol of the strength of a community that pulled together during one of the hardest moments in history for San Diego County.

The Phoenix was displayed during the 2007 Del Mar National Horse Show, where the public was able to see the magnificent statue and learn the story of the Phoenix and its bold rise following the Cedar Fire.