(Thumbnail image from The Los Angeles Times)
“Fire officials are still astounded and confused at how fast and how large this fire has become. Burning an area larger than the cities of San Francisco and Las Vegas combined. ‘This is a dangerous firefight, it’s treacherous, and we will not rest until it is out.’” (Video from CBS News)
“The Perfect Storm”, as some media call it, rages on in California, and burned 122,000 acres as of Monday morning. We’re taking a look at different news outlets that are covering different angles of the colossal blaze, and the issues complicating firefighters’ efforts.
Let’s start with NBC’s Al Roker, who says when residents refused to comply with evacuation orders, precious resources were wasted.
“At least five residents refused to leave when they were ordered to evacuate over the weekend. Authorities say they haven’t been able to reach them because of the intense flames and now are angry that the crews have to risk their own lives in the rescue effort.”
This is just the beginning of the fire season in California, and CNN asks how the state will be able to afford to fight the flames during an equally challenging economic battle.
“We’re very concerned the state has about 180 million set aside for the fires for the whole season. They’ve burned about half of that already, and as you know we’re in a crisis here in California.”
As if they didn’t have enough to deal with, FOX News reports that communication towers that broadcast to fifteen percent of the Los Angeles area could go up in flames any day now.
“Mt. Wilson is home to a number of TV, radio and police and fire communication towers. Those towers handle all of those communications, including the emergency communications that are going on now.”
On Monday, The Los Angeles Times talked to local forecasters who said that after a six day heat wave, cooler temperatures and more humidity means there could soon be a clearing in the smoky state.
"I’m feeling a lot more optimistic today than I did yesterday," said . "We made progress last night, not just due to humidity, but good darn firefighting. They're fighting for every foot." --Mike Dietrich, U.S. Forest Service Incident Cmdr.
So do you think fire officials in California have the right strategy? Or are they focusing too much on trivial distractions?
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