We Didn't Start the Fire

On Wednesday, the feeling of hope starts to emerge as the breezes are dying done across Southern California. However, about 20 brush fires continue to roar which has destroyed 1,600 structures, displaced hundreds of thousands, and polluted air for millions more across the region. Since the winds have started to die down the thousands of tired firefighters can stop going from fire to fire and can stand and fight the flames in one area. The fires in Malibu were declared under control, and the Pacific Coast Highway reopened. The hardest hit of the seven counties was San Diego County. Some of the evacuated residents have started to go back and check their homes. There is still a fast moving fire in the Camp Pendleton Marine that is a threat to the last power lies of the county.
Officials said they suspect that some of the fires had been deliberately set. On Tuesday the San Bernardino County police shot and killed a suspected arsonist and a few hours later arrested another suspected arsonist. The County has added more patrollers after several looters were arrested near San Diego County. The director of San Diego County made the first estimate of damages as $1 billion. Even though 200 residents of southern San Diego County were evacuated from their homes Gov. Schwarzenegger announced that one-stop shops will open Thursday and Friday to help residents replace burned records, file insurance claims and other paperwork. California’s Office of Emergency Services said 351,000 people were officially instructed to evacuate, including 250,000 around San Diego. The number can not be confirmed and they are not sure where everyone went. Some are in the 51 schools, civic centers, hotels, or with friends.
Air quality in Los Angeles has been declared unsafe for everyone. Residents were urged to avoid outdoor exercise and to run their air conditioners. San Diego’s hospital and other medical facilities were warned that they could lose power abruptly if the Camp Pendleton fire got worse.
September 26- October 3 1970 the Laguna fire burned 175,425 acres, killed eight civilians, and destroyed 382 homes. In a 24 hour span the fire burned from near Mt. Laguna into the outskirts of El Cajon and Spring Valley. It was previously known as the Kitchen Creek Fire and the Boulder Oak Fire.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2007/10/24/AR2007102400226.html?hpid=topnews&sid=ST2007102300524