Fire in the West......(if you dident already read the 20 blogs on them)

Firefighters have begun to control the wild fires that have burned through almost 500, 000 acres of land in Southern California, and displaced half a million residents over four days. Many fires continue to burn however, especially in San Diego, and officials warn that lower temperatures will hopefully control the flames. Many congratulate the firefighters for avoiding an extensive loss of life, they even begun to set dates for when the biggest fires might be brought under control. Fire chiefs and elected officials, on the other hand, are angry with the state government for not adopting recommendations for more firefighting equipment. These fires have also raised questions and tension about the cost of protecting the increasing number of people who live in remote and highly flammable areas and the willingness to pay for them. According to figures provided by the country officials, by Wednesday 460,581 acres had burned as well as 1,248 structures, 170 mobile homes had been destroyed, and 30 firefighters28 civilians had been injured. Although many elderly residents have perished, only 1 death was confirmed as having resulted directly from the fire. On Wednesday, President George Bush declared a major disaster in California. This will result in federal grants for temporary housing, home repairs, and low – cost-loans for the victims. In Orange County, one of the fires, know as the Santiago, was designated as arson. Police suspect San Bernardino, who is 27 years old from Arizona, as the man who had started it after killing a man near California State University. Police tried to detain him but they shot him after he tried to get into his car to flee.

The events of California can be compared to the Great Chicago fire of 1871. In 1871, Chicago was truly a boom town. It had become one of the fastest growing cities in America and because of this, construction standards had been loose to say to the lease. The city was miles and miles of rickety wooden structures. One of the local newspapers, the Tribune had warned about the weak and falling apart building structures of the city and the corrupting pieces that were falling into the streets merely missing the heads of the walking pedestrians. According to legends, a cow that belonged to an Irishwoman name Catherine O’Leary started the Great Chicago fire. She ran a neighborhood milk business from the barn behind her home. She carelessly left a kerosene lantern in the barn after her even milking. The cow kicked it over and ignited the hay on the floor. True or not, the fire was indubitable. The fire began to die on the morning on October 10, when soaking rains began to fall on Chicago. Over 300 people were dead and another 10,000 were without homes and shelter. Over 200 million in property had been destroyed, along with thousands of historic records deeds and archives. The city started rebuilding on a grand scale. The rebirth of the city amazed the nation, for the rebuilding was done within three years.