Wildfires

It is such a horrible thing, I am hoping they end soon and those affected will be able to recooperate and rebuild their lives. I sure hope it doesn't reach the San Diego zoo, it was mentioned that they may have to start evacuating the animals.

Yes, and I saw on the news two days ago that they were going to evacuate all of the small animals anyway. Terrible.

The most annoying things about the fires:

1) The largest one was started by a hunter who got lost and tried to signal his friends by lighting a fire. Duh! Fortunately he was arrested and will be facing some serious charges, as well he should.

2) It appears that many, if not all, the remaining dozen or so fires buring these past few days (from north of LA down to the border), were arson. Two men were seen starting at least one of them, and we can only hope all will be apprehended and dealt with appropriately.

3) The military had tanker planes, firefighters, and lots of equipment ready to help on Sunday, but were not permitted to do so since they had not been checked off on the civilian version of their training. It seems that government officials are not able to either plan ahead (surprise!) or to ignore this red tape when lives and substantial property are at stake (surprise again). A few naval pilots were doing their check-off flights today (Wednesday).

4) Politicians began squabbling on television by Tuesday about whom to blame.

BTW, the zoo was not at any risk of burning. The fires didn't come within 20 miles. The air quality has been very poor in the city since Sunday morning, however, until this morning (Wednesday) and is still very poor in large areas of the county--for people and for animals. There was a plane crash and several stalled motor vehicles which burned--probably due to lack of oxygen in their local atmosphere.

Was nice to be able to open windows this morning and to walk outside without a bandana or face mask. We city-dwellers won' t take fresh air for granted for at least a few more days, since the winds now are from the ocean and blowing all the smoke and fire to the more inland small towns and villages--some of which are being totally wiped off the map as of this evening. One firefighter has died so far.

Overall, it looks as though, barring arsonists, the fires are slowly coming under control, with fire officials speculating that they may be totally controlled by November 5th or 7th.

Thanks for the update, Sjoe. I now feel well informed from one who lives in the line of fire. I heard on the news last night, that one of the victims was a firefighter. How very sad, but good to hear that things are coming under better control. Now if those Santa Anna winds will only behave.:)

See photo below of USS STENNIS pulling into San Diego yesterday (29 October 2003) as fires burn around the city.

-HBS

Can't load photo. Sorry.