Unrelenting fires char S. California, at least half a million flee

Spencer Collins · #1 (**permalink**) 10-24-2007, 12:06 AM

Unrelenting fires char S. California, at least half a million flee

SAN DIEGO, California (CNN) -- Relentless wildfires roared through Southern California for a third day Tuesday, sending more than half a million residents fleeing with family members, pets and whatever prize possessions they could fit in their vehicles.

The blazes have charred 400,000 acres and reduced 1,300 homes -- 1,000 in San Diego County -- to ash.

The fires have killed one person and injured more than 50. Earlier Tuesday, officials erroneously reported that a second person had died.

Earlier Tuesday, Lt. Gov. John Garamendi, said the number of evacuees "could very well approach 500,000 by the end of the day."

By Tuesday night, officials had evacuated nearly 350,000 homes in San Diego County. Using U.S. Census Bureau numbers from the 2000 census, that could mean as many as 950,000 were affected by the fires.

In San Diego County, at least 513,000 residents had been ordered to find refuge in shelters, schools and stadiums as fires pushed into new areas.

Twelve thousand more people were advised but not ordered to evacuate.

President Bush will visit the area Thursday, the White House said. Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff arrived in San Diego on Tuesday afternoon.

Chertoff promised a different federal reaction from the one in New Orleans in 2005.

"We have been preparing and planning and training together for the last 2½ years," he said.

And the scene at Qualcomm Stadium on Tuesday did seem to live up to Chertoff's expectations as volunteers cheerily handed out chairs, food and water.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency delivered 25,000 cots early Tuesday.

More?

http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/10/23/wil...=googletoolbar

A very sad situation..

saltwn · #2 (**permalink**) 10-24-2007, 12:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Spencer Collins

Unrelenting fires char S. California, at least half a million flee

SAN DIEGO, California (CNN) -- Relentless wildfires roared through Southern California for a third day Tuesday, sending more than half a million residents fleeing with family members, pets and whatever prize possessions they could fit in their vehicles.

The blazes have charred 400,000 acres and reduced 1,300 homes -- 1,000 in San Diego County -- to ash.

The fires have killed one person and injured more than 50. Earlier Tuesday, officials erroneously reported that a second person had died.

Earlier Tuesday, Lt. Gov. John Garamendi, said the number of evacuees "could very well approach 500,000 by the end of the day."

By Tuesday night, officials had evacuated nearly 350,000 homes in San Diego County. Using U.S. Census Bureau numbers from the 2000 census, that could mean as many as 950,000 were affected by the fires.

In San Diego County, at least 513,000 residents had been ordered to find refuge in shelters, schools and stadiums as fires pushed into new areas.

Twelve thousand more people were advised but not ordered to evacuate.

President Bush will visit the area Thursday, the White House said. Homeland Security Secretary Michael Chertoff arrived in San Diego on Tuesday afternoon.

Chertoff promised a different federal reaction from the one in New Orleans in 2005.

"We have been preparing and planning and training together for the last 2½ years," he said.

And the scene at Qualcomm Stadium on Tuesday did seem to live up to Chertoff's expectations as volunteers cheerily handed out chairs, food and water.

The Federal Emergency Management Agency delivered 25,000 cots early Tuesday.

More?

http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/10/23/wil...=googletoolbar

A very sad situation..

Yes. I was discussing it with my daughter on line last night when there were still only 250,000 refugees. She was wondering about the resulting economy if the numbers grew (as they now have).

cnredd · #3 (**permalink**) 10-24-2007, 02:43 AM

Let's go back into the time machine...(eerie noises)...

GAO Forest-Thinning Study Sparks New Controversy

Quote:

Supporters of President George W. Bush’s Healthy Forests Initiative have a new study to cite as proof reforms are needed in the federal government’s forest management effort. Opponents of the President’s plan disagree, saying the study proves current procedures are working.

The study, released by the General Accounting Office (GAO) on May 15, found most federal forest-thinning proposals subject to third-party comment were appealed by environmental activists.

59 Percent Appealed

The GAO examined 762 U.S. Forest Service (USFS) proposals to thin forests and prevent fires during the past two years. According to the study, slightly more than half the proposals were not subject to third-party appeal. Of those proposals subject to appeal, third parties challenged 59 percent.

Appeals were filed most often by anti-logging groups, including the Sierra Club, Alliance for Wild Rockies, and Forest Conservation Council. According to the GAO, 84 interest groups filed more than 400 appeals of Forest Service proposals. The appeals delayed efforts to treat 900,000 acres of forests and cost the federal government millions of dollars to address.

Forest Service officials estimate they spend nearly half their time, and $250 million each year, preparing for the appeals and procedural challenges launched by activists.

“The report demonstrates that the appeals needlessly delay federal efforts to prevent wildfires, and if the process is not streamlined, millions of acres will be lost this summer,” said Senate Energy Committee Chairman Pete Domenici (R-New Mexico).

“The American people will no longer tolerate management by wildfire,” Domenici added.

“This finding is nothing short of appalling, especially when you think of the catastrophic losses suffered in last year’s horrific fire season alone,” said House Resources Committee Chairman Richard Pombo (R-California).

“These were not only losses of forest, endangered species, and wildlife habitat, they were losses of human life and family property,” Pombo said.

These are groups not looking out for everyone's best interest...

They're groups that hate man interfering with nature so much that they even refuse to let anyine touch a log for fear of upsetting some balance of nature...even though touching that log will be for the greater good of both mankind and the forests...

They refuse to understand that doctors have to CUT patients sometimes in order to save them...

highway80west · #4 (**permalink**) 10-24-2007, 12:16 PM

And I live here in San Diego, but not anyplace close to the fires.

saltwn · #5 (**permalink**) 10-24-2007, 05:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by highway80west

And I live here in San Diego, but not anyplace close to the fires.

Hope you don't have a touch of asthma. What a scary thought. The air would be hard for some to breath.
Stay safe!

highway80west · #6 (**permalink**) 10-24-2007, 06:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by saltwn

Hope you don't have a touch of asthma. What a scary thought. The air would be hard for some to breath.
Stay safe!

Thanks, Salty. I always carry my inhaler (Albuterol) with me. As I stay indoors at work, it has not been a problem for me. I think the air was worse during the cedar fire. Many trees were burned due to the Cedar Fire, which was carelessly started by a man lost in the woods when he fired a flare gun into the air. These fires right now are probably burning bushes instead.

The driveway of my home has not been soiled or sooted compared to 2003. I had to hose off my driveway twice.

saltwn · #7 (**permalink**) 10-24-2007, 07:49 PM

http://www.myspace.com/peterframpton

Quote:

highway80west · #8 (**permalink**) 10-25-2007, 11:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by saltwn

http://www.myspace.com/peterframpton

Wow, every time I work at the Padres' ballpark, the trolley goes right by The House of Blues.

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