Comments on: Watching the So Cal Firestorms

By: The California Cowboys

The California Cowboys — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 15:39:38 +0000

Chuck from Southwest VA was discussing how the folks in California were dealing with loss. It certainly will be interesting to read the comparisons between the speed of recovery from the fires in California to the speed of recovery from Hurricane Katrina in the Southern States.

Both disasters will have long term consequences on the regional economies. It is still eye opening that the Southern states are still struggling even after two years and billions of dollars have been spent to rebuild. Hopefully, the Southern California infrastructure will only be dented and not blown up like Louisiana’s was in Katrina.

Stories are already appearing about the differences in activities and support at Qualcomm Stadium and the Super Dome. Comments like “You either whine about it or deal with it” point out some regional differences in our nation. Thanks to your FNC team and affiliates for the great reports and human interest stories!

By: Teresa, NH

Teresa, NH — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 13:48:48 +0000

Laura, are there local charities accepting clothing/food/toy/toiletry items? Looking for an alternative to the obvious Red Cross, we would like to make an immediate difference to the people of Southern California affected by the fires. Stay safe

By: Cathie

Cathie — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 13:19:33 +0000

Laura my brothers home is still ok he called a friend thats on alert in case because they have a dog home with people coming by to feed and walk it. They are a mess over the whole thing , i also have a brother in Boulevard, and a sister in Highway 79 in Warner Springs but we cant get in touch with them im a wreck over this its horrendous. Im not sure if the fire is near them also i also heard that al quida (sp) had something to do with these fires is that true? ty for responding to me also smiles

By: Chuck, Southwest, Va.

Chuck, Southwest, Va. — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 06:33:38 +0000

Laura, my exposure to California, and its culture, has been fleeting to say the least. I first saw it for a matter of hours as we disembarked a plane and immediately boarded a troop ship bound for Vietnam in 1967. I never saw it again until 1969 … after my Vietnam tour … but while still in the Army. That visit too, lasted mere hours at LAX while changing planes .. ! Thus, most of what I know about California is from people who’ve lived there … or from media sources, or general education.

One thing we all know for sure is that certain geographical areas, especially around beautiful Southern California, are extremely prone to brush fires and mud-slides … as often witnessed in National News Headlines. With Santa Ana Winds often come the brush fires … and with
“El Nino” often comes soaking rain, flooding, and mud slides. But because of the natural beauty and rich cultural heritage of the area … the inhabitants always manage to survive, picking up the pieces as they go, then re-building what was lost. They always seem to tolerate material loss in order to maintain cultural identity.

By: Kathy in Texas

Kathy in Texas — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 02:41:10 +0000

Very sad reporting I must say, so hard to see.

By: Alexander

Alexander — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 00:28:40 +0000

Don’t know if you saw the video of the SD reporter broadcasting in from of his own burning home. Bu you can find it at San Diego TV Reporter Broadcasts From His Burning Home. Dramatic stuff!

By: taylor

taylor — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 22:28:33 +0000

Laura

Stay safe

By: Sue Kuklok

Sue Kuklok — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 22:06:48 +0000

Laura – I miss your reporting on KFI and hope you’re doing well in New York. Thank God for all the brave people out here who are risking their lives to save lives and homes. And for the reporters who are keeping us all informed.

By: Sue Kuklok

Sue Kuklok — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 22:02:58 +0000

I miss your reporting on KFI and hope you’re doing well. It’s nice to see you’re still “covering” us!

By: David White

David White — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 19:22:01 +0000

I have been watching this story and have been amased by the firefighters efforts under the situations that they are working in. I wonder why California seems to have a fire like this every year. In Florida we have a lot of prescription fires set by the forestry division of Florida. This keeps the amount of fuel that a fire has to burn to a much lower level. Does California have a program like this?

By: Wendy, Los Angeles

Wendy, Los Angeles — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 17:00:21 +0000

it is heartbreaking to watch – but you cannot help watching those Firefighters and being incredulous at their bravery…

By: Ron Henderson

Ron Henderson — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 16:37:18 +0000

Hello Laura – Love ya, love your blog, and love ya on Fox News. Keep up the good work. Ron

By: laura ingle

laura ingle — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 13:59:28 +0000

Thank you so much for your comments, about the Southern California firestorm. All of us are concerned for the people who live there. Cathie, if your brother lives in San Diego County, I’m sure his neighborhood has been evacuated – he should definately touch base with someone if he’s out of town and find out what’s going on. Right now, it appears that some of the fires were set intentionally, others started from natural causes, or from a blown power transformer. Which leads me to the question of fire investigation. It’s an interesting subject, I hope to be able to bring to the air this week — in the meantime, some background for you.

Fire investigators follow the clues — burn patterns — to find the general origin of the fire. Using classic crime-scene investigation techniques like line-walking, in which investigators form a tight line and walk in patterns over the scene looking meticulously for clues from the ground up, evidence will eventually narrow down the point of origin. What investigators ultimately want to work with is a point of origin that is about 10 feet by 10 feet. The smaller the area, the better. After they’ve narrowed it down, investigators are getting down on their knees and sifting through dirt, ash, brush and everything else they can find that could possible house a match, a bottle of accelerant, a lighter, a footprint or a tire mark. Within this 100 square-foot (10-square-meter) area is where the cause of the fire will most likely be found. There will be a lot of this work going on in the days and weeks to come.

By: Bernie

Bernie — Tue, 23 Oct 2007 00:38:16 +0000

Laura,
Was there any warning about this fire before it became so dangerous? And like Jack, I’d like to know how it started.

By: Jack McCollister

Jack McCollister — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 22:15:39 +0000

I do not have access to TV at this time . How do they think fire got started and how much is under control at this time?

By: Cathie

Cathie — Mon, 22 Oct 2007 20:59:09 +0000

Laura, my brother lives in San DIego County is the fire close to him? They are up in New England visiting so im curious to know Fire Fighters and the media are to be commanded for their work they do Its got to be hard and long hours . I ve personally never seena fire so i can only imagine how it is