Tech Companies Close During California Wildfires

Posted on October 24, 2007

eWeek is reporting that local tech companies in Southern California including Qualcomm and Sony Electronics have shut down because of the wildfires. The reason is because of the risk to their employees homes in the area and not because of a direct fire threat on the company's offices.

Raging wildfires have forced some local technology companies to close their offices, including Qualcomm and Sony Electronics. Risk is greatest for employees' homes than for the businesses.
Sony Electronics closed its U.S. headquarters on Oct. 23 for a second day, sending home nearly 2,500 employees from its 71-acre campus in Rancho Bernardo. Fires ravaged the area on Oct. 22 and Oct. 23.
Hewlett-Packard's printing and imaging division also is located Rancho Bernardo. The office couldn't be reached during normal business hours on Oct. 23, suggesting closure because of the fires.
Qualcomm, which employs more than 11,000 people in San Diego, wasn't in the fires' direct paths. But some employees live in areas ravaged or threatened by the wildfires. Qualcomm's headquarters is located south of the worst fires.

Many businesses were also closed in Southern California to help keep the roads clear for firetrucks and other emergency vehicles.