LOS ANGELES (Map, News) - Along the fringes of land scorched by last fall's massive wildfires, pockets of oat grass are sprouting from the Malibu canyons to the San Diego suburbs.

A damp winter has suppressed large fires this year, but encouraged the growth of combustible grasses, highlighting an irony of wildfire season that has become a punch line of sorts for firefighters.

"If rainfall is normal, it will be a terrible fire season. If it's a drought year, it will be a terrible fire season," said Thom Porter of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.

The number of acres burned this year is below average, but fire officials are bracing for what is forecast to be a severe fire season in Southern California as waist-high green growth dries to a crispy brown.

California's unofficial fire season runs from mid-May through November, but in recent years the state has been on fire alert year-round. Fire activity typically peaks in the fall when blustery Santa Ana winds kick up and ignite dried-out vegetation into a firestorm.

Despite a 500-acre blaze that crept within feet of homes in the San Gabriel Mountain foothills east of Los Angeles in the past week and another burning in the San Bernardino National Forest, the severity of fires across the state is down over the same period last year.

Since January, 5,539 acres have been blackened across the state, according to the National Interagency Fire Center. During the same period last year, 8,244 acres burned.

Last year's extremely dry conditions kept firefighters busy. In January, crews fought a wind-driven fire that tore through a row of multimillion-dollar oceanfront homes in Malibu. Before the fall, they battled fires in Los Angeles' Griffith Park, Santa Catalina Island and the resort area of Lake Tahoe.

But the brunt of the flames wielded the worst devastation in the fall with more than a dozen blazes breaking out from Malibu to San Diego. All told, last year's fire season burned over a million acres, destroyed more than 5,000 structures and killed seven people.

This year's wet winter followed by a dry spring and two record-setting heat waves in Southern California have led to abundant grasses turning brown early that some fear "could serve as a wick," said John Todd, chief of forestry at the Los Angeles County Fire Department.

As grasses dry out, any ignition - whether it's a match or overheating car - could spark a fire.

"We have a lot of good growth out there," Todd said. "Last year, we had hardly any growth because we had very little rain."

New growth in burned areas is not the only obstacle. Firefighters are also concerned about brush-covered regions that have not burned in decades that could make for stubborn firefighting.

Last week's Santa Anita Fire that forced 1,000 residents in the Sierra Madre area to flee is an example. The blaze charred more than 500 acres, including spots that have not burned in 40 years.

In Malibu's Trancas Canyon, which last burned in 1978, the homeowners' association is taking action early.

The association of 200 houses and condos applied for federal and state money to replace flammable eucalyptus trees with fire-resistant plants and stock up on kits with fire-resistant gel to coat houses.

"We're the last significant neighborhood that has not burned. I don't want to wait," said longtime Malibu resident Cindy Vandor, who drew up the plan.

The Los Angeles Fire Department has begun enforcing a brush clearance rule for homes near the mountains surrounding Los Angeles. Owners could be fined if they fail to clear brush within 200 feet of their homes or buildings.

Farther east, parts of the San Bernardino National Forest where two fires chewed through 26,600 acres last year resemble what some forest officials call a moonscape.

Although the standing dead trees likely would not pose an immediate fire danger, the U.S. Forest Service is talking to the community about thinning them to lessen the impact of future fires.

"We're removing some but not all," said Kurt Winchester, a district ranger. "We still want to have some snags and some downed woody material."

Forest officials are also keeping an eye on the bark beetle, which in the past has preyed on millions of pine, cedar and dogwood trees across California. Groves that have been killed off by the beetle are more prone to fire.

"We're kind of at the break point," said Janice Gauthier, a U.S. Forest Service spokeswoman.

How severe this year's wildfires will turn out could depend on the ferocity of the seasonal Santa Anas, which blow between October and February and peak in December.

Last year's fires were fanned by unusually powerful Santa Anas that lasted several days, said Bill Patzert of NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena.

"Santa Anas are like El Ninos," said Patzert, referring to the weather phenomenon of the warming of the water in the tropical Pacific. "They come small, medium, large. Sometimes you get a Godzilla."

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Comments from Examiner Readers

5:42 PM MST on Mon., Nov. 26, 2007 re: "Malibu residents return to communities after fire burns 53 homes"

Examiner Reader said:
I hear that the Santa Anita (Santa Ana) Winds go on until January and/or February. Not good for those who live in the fire zone.

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9:32 AM MST on Sat., Nov. 24, 2007 re: "Wildfire Engulfs Homes Above Malibu"

Examiner Reader said:
Building in the fire prone canyons of southern California is just as stupid as building below sea level in New Orleans. Both get what they deserve.

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7:34 PM MST on Wed., Nov. 14, 2007 re: "No Charges for 10-Year-Old Fire Starter"

Examiner Reader said:
I understand that it was a hard decison, but he just gets to "walk"? He hasn't even apologized. Yeah I know, sorry just doesn't cut it, but there needs to be some kind of accountablility. I would even feel better if I at least saw him crying or something.

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10:17 AM MST on Wed., Oct. 31, 2007 re: "Officials: Boy With Matches Started Fire"

Examiner Reader said:
How can anybody evaluate this case without knowing the AGE of the child???? Don't you think that may be relevant?? For example, in MD, a child under the age of 7 has no criminal liability for anything as it is believed that a person so young of age cannot form the mens rea required for a criminal act. Therefore, it would be important to know if the child was over or under 7 years old. On the other hand, if the child is 17 or 16, then would he be expected to be playing with matches and not know any better? Come on guys, if you pose a question, at least give us a context in which to analyze the answer.

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11:28 AM MST on Fri., Oct. 26, 2007 re: "Stadium Closing As Fire Evacuation Site"

Examiner Reader said:
Great Job California. With the smooth operation and cooperation of the citizens to work together and not sit around like the Naw Leans people (D) did, you put a huge kink in the left wing attack machine. You got them so ticked our own Lt. Governor chose politics over showing the world a United Front. Even Babs showed up. You got a good Governor don�t lose him.

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8:17 AM MST on Fri., Oct. 26, 2007 re: "Fire Evacuees Seek Return to Normal"

BostonRay said:
This just in: Just like I reported earlier on the democrats sacred enviro-dolt movements obstruction to federal funding to Forestry Dept. efforts towards dead wood thinning and it being a massive cause of home loss now comes an article in the LA Times proving it. At areas where thinning had been performed (Big Bear) not a single home was lost. Not one. As always, when democrats scream that George Bush is the fault (B-babs Boxer D-Bimboville) best look into the mouth of the screamer to find the source of the problem. The truth lies there. It's the democrats, stupid!

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7:23 AM MST on Fri., Oct. 26, 2007 re: "Fire Evacuees Seek Return to Normal"

BostonRay said:
Democrats obstruct and delay funding to retrofit National Guard aircraft to firefighting capability then say it's George Bush's fault?! Stay tuned and don't miss the democrats demand for "massive funding" relief so they can steal the money. Coming soon to your theatre. Most of what you see on TV will be covered by private insurance companies and the individual tax relief will be used to build bigger houses to burn again in the next guaranteed fire. By the way, it's the begining of mudslide season.

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6:36 PM MST on Thu., Oct. 25, 2007 re: "Calif. Wildfires Are Still Not Contained"

Examiner Reader said:
but the president WONT FORGET these people in Calif because he " Said so" right

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3:07 PM MST on Thu., Oct. 25, 2007 re: "Dems slam Bush for planned visit to fire-ravaged California"

FrankTheTank said:
I just love it when the Socialist Democrats open their big yaps and dig themselves even deeper into the stupid hole. You'd think they'd want to appear helpful in a time of catastrophy, but instead, they can't help but politicize any and every event. Their hatred of America as we know it, and for George Bush is simply out of control. So, keep it up, Dumb-o-crats, we're watching you!

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2:16 PM MST on Thu., Oct. 25, 2007 re: "Dems slam Bush for planned visit to fire-ravaged California"

Examiner Reader said:
Some democrats continue to be absolutely sick with Bush Hatred. The Lt. Gov. would be delighted if Hillary visited the fire areas. And of course he has no idea what people who blame such fires on enviromental extremists,who have prevente the removal of the debris which acts as kindling, are talking about. His outburst is a classic example of real air pollution.

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12:10 PM MST on Thu., Oct. 25, 2007 re: "Dems slam Bush for planned visit to fire-ravaged California"

chiefpayne said:
Adam in Marblehead beat me to it. So if he didn't go, what would the Dems have said? No matter what President Bush does, the Dems find something wrong with it. Which is probably why he stopped listening to what they had to say...because all they did was complain without giving any suggestions how to do things the "right" way.

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11:09 AM MST on Thu., Oct. 25, 2007 re: "Dems slam Bush for planned visit to wildfire-ravaged California"

Adam in Marblehead said:
What would Dems say if he didn't go?

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9:20 PM MST on Wed., Oct. 24, 2007 re: "Calming Winds Help Crews Vs Calif. Fires"

Examiner Reader said:
What about a MAP of where the fires and evacuation areas are? Anybody got a good link? It's crazy that the Examiner doesn't think this essential to their coverage.

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7:22 PM MST on Wed., Oct. 24, 2007 re: "Calming Winds Help Crews Vs Calif. Fires"

BostonRay said:
By the way, any comment putting 'blame' on the firefighters is not appreciated. THEY had to deal one on one with this disaster caused by 'ecologists'. They had to concentrate ALL their resources on saving the lives of kalifornia dingbats who refused to evacuate. THIS took them away from the fire. THEY also tried like hell to save your homes against, in reality, impossible circumstances. THEY put their lives on the line every second of every minute of every hour of this disaster. It's the 'ecologists' stupid. I am not a firefighter but I sure as hell have enormous respect for their efforts here. WHERE is AL GORE and HILLARY? God bless those Firefighters!

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7:07 PM MST on Wed., Oct. 24, 2007 re: "Calming Winds Help Crews Vs Calif. Fires"

BostonRay said:
By the way, where IS pope Al Gore? Nowhere to be seen or heard. We know where Hillary Clinton was, as your homes, treasures, memories, and all you own, went up in smoke and ash. She was just north of the fire at a party thrown by meathead of All in the Family. Are they the new Nero? You bet! Both Al (nobel prize) Gore and Hillary, who are heavily financed by the 'ecology' dingbats, have quickly placed their heads in the sand. They caused this disaster, without question. George Bush (R) arrives tomorrow to help you.

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4:58 PM MST on Wed., Oct. 24, 2007 re: "Calif. Wildfire Losses Top $1 Billion"

Examiner Reader said:
Could'nt have put it better, Mark. Pieces of garbage like Reid, Pelosi, Boxer and the rest of the Democrat party are shameless and will use any event to try to spin their lies to fit their Socialist agenda. The only thing sadder is the number of dolts who belive them.

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3:02 PM MST on Wed., Oct. 24, 2007 re: "Calif. Fires Destroy Hundreds of Homes"

Mark said:
I don't think we are turning this into a 'political platform'. People like barbara boxer with comments about needing cal nat guard to come home from iraq to help. we have 6% of our nat guard in iraq and I think she knows it. the funny thing about these people is that they are still running against bush and he's not running for anything. harry reid blaming the fires on "global warming" is just stupid. he knows it but has an agenda which makes him say anything. we deserve better people in government, it's sad. we need leaders that don't whine.

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2:42 PM MST on Wed., Oct. 24, 2007 re: "Calif. Wildfire Losses Top $1 Billion"

Examiner Reader said:
Heads should roll for what has happenned. It's amazing how things can improve when these people have their jobs on the line. Folks who could and should make a difference must stop blaming this catastrophe on the weather, the winds, blah, blah, blah, but be prepared! Firefighters, you have failed us.

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1:35 PM MST on Wed., Oct. 24, 2007 re: "Calif. Wildfire Losses Top $1 Billion"

BostonRay said:
Those that have half a brain are safe because they left in time. Those that did not now require the assistance of fire fighters that are now diverted from fighting the very consuming fire that now jepordizes them. All they had to do was listen. To stand alone in surrounding roaring flames with a garden hose as a defense must be a liberal form of macho out there. Here we call it stupid and insane. Why pray for those seeking self-immolation - very Buddhist. These are not victims. Those that left and lost their homes should not be allowed to build back in the area. It will just burn again. Ecotrash comes from California - I doubt they will learn anything from their error. You want sympathy buy a dog or put an end to these eco-freaks that cause these problems. It's quite simple, really.

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12:27 PM MST on Wed., Oct. 24, 2007 re: "Calif. Fires Destroy Hundreds of Homes"

Examiner Reader said:
all of you who are turning this into a political platform via these comments are not better than those your criticize. You should be praying for victims, not throwing blame. Do that later, when people are safe and acounted for.

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12:20 PM MST on Wed., Oct. 24, 2007 re: "Calif. Fires Destroy Hundreds of Homes"

Examiner Reader said:
Social liberals advocate a greater degree of government influence to protect individual rights (in a broad sense), often in the form of anti-discrimination laws. Social liberals support universal education, and many also support the provision of welfare, including benefits for the unemployed, housing for the homeless, and medical care for the sick, all supported by progressive taxation. Hillary would have saved the POLARS and GONE GREEN to prevent the fires.

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11:28 AM MST on Wed., Oct. 24, 2007 re: "Calif. Fires Destroy Hundreds of Homes"

Mark said:
Thank You to all the sane people from outside this area (so cal) that see what is really going on. The liberal socialist democrat party in this country is doing so much damage and yet their given the tag of being the ones that care about others. It's a brilliant scam that should not be allowed to work. DO NOT ELECT HILLARY CLINTON TO ANYTHING!

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11:17 AM MST on Wed., Oct. 24, 2007 re: "Calif. Wildfire Losses Top $1 Billion"

Mark said:
�One reason why we have the fires in California is global warming,� Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) told reporters Tuesday, stressing the need to pass the Democrats� comprehensive energy package. This fool will try to use any means to get what he wants. Why would anyone support people like this. Shameful liar!

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10:33 AM MST on Wed., Oct. 24, 2007 re: "500,000 Flee Raging California Wildfires"

Examiner Reader said:
Good Job California for taking care of your own in this catastrophic event. Sad to see Babs Boxer (D) & Harry Reid (D) trying to blame this on Bush (as usual) but we over here on the east coast see what going on. The liberal media tried twice this morning to get the blame game going but they were slapped down by Arnold ( R ) and the FEMA boss. We are all thinking of you and I know you will come out on top.

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9:26 AM MST on Wed., Oct. 24, 2007 re: "California Hopes for Slowing Winds"

BostonRay said:
In 2003 the Bush Administration got the "Healthy Forest Initiative" passed that funded the clearing of dead trees and the thinning of brush. Since then the sacred kalifornia eco-freaks have been applauded by local liberals in So. kalifornia for filing over 56 lawsuits preventing the laws implementation. Among them the Sierra Club. Now Babs Boxer says it's Bush's fault. This law would have clearly reduced the magnitude of this fire and it was Babs Boxer's (D-dingbat) cherished buddies in the eco movement that stopped it. Now the bimbos are crying for help. They made their bed now let them lie in it. You live in a desert then you know fires are a fact of life. Always have been. You leave a lot of dead wood around as more fuel and put wood shingles on your house - you are s-t-u-p-i-d.

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8:21 AM MST on Wed., Oct. 24, 2007 re: "500,000 Flee Raging California Wildfires"

Examiner Reader said:
Iraq is not the topic! Get a life.

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3:26 AM MST on Wed., Oct. 24, 2007 re: "500,000 Flee Raging California Wildfires"

Examiner Reader said:
It is very much pathetic that people lost their home & take shelter at stadium. Its time feel the Iraqi people who lost home by un-ethical war.

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6:29 PM MST on Tue., Oct. 23, 2007 re: "Raging Calif. Wildfires Force 1M to Flee"

Examiner Reader said:
Ask foresters and knowledgeable biologists about the bark beetle and other infestations as well as drought conditions that result in standing forests of dead and dying trees. Ask the forest and national parks folks what has been done to clear out some of this material so our forests are not tinderboxes. They will tell you that they aren't just allowed to chop down trees. Anytime they try, some eco-lawyer slaps them with a lawsuit with some babble about old-growth forests or spotted owls, and some judge passes and injunction. Then the eco-lawyers petition the courts for their legal expenses at the tune of $250 per hour. The goo-goos in the city who never even go near the forests believe these enviromental frauds, and everyone pats themselves on the back for "saving the trees". Process is repeated until the forests burn down, and the same eco-warriors blame it on "global warming". See how the game is played?

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6:08 PM MST on Tue., Oct. 23, 2007 re: "Calif. Fires Destroy Hundreds of Homes"

Examiner Reader said:
You would think all these people who continually pee in their pants over CO2 emissions and so-called anthropogenic "global warming" would be demanding that we DO SOMETHING about forest fires that dump more pollution in a few days than all the SUV's do in an entire year. Not a peep. See, it's NOT about the environment - it's about punishing America for not being a failure like Cuba or Zimbabwe, destroying jobs and the economy, and making us dependents of a welfare state that can take away as easily as it can give. You are witnessing the policies of the modern American left in action.

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5:59 PM MST on Tue., Oct. 23, 2007 re: "Raging Calif. Wildfires Force 1M to Flee"

Socalnative said:
Response to anyonymous: VERY little forest land in California is "pristine" - even the forest lands near Yosemite were logged 60-100 years ago. The fires result NOT because fire risks can't be managed, but because our oh-so-PC know-it-alls REFUSE to manage it! The eco-freaks are so anti-capitalist and anti-private property that they seek to PUNISH loggers, ranchers, and rural property owners for not prostrating themselves before their Gaia eco-g_d. Just talk to some of these wacked-out, tattooed, pierced, dreadlock wearing self-styled "earth warriors" some time. They would RATHER see the forests burned and people lose their homes, jobs (and even lives) than see the forest service allow loggers to salvage sick, dead, or fallen trees. These people are the same crowd that shows up at these "economic summits" in black masks vandalizing Starbucks and McDonalds. It's all anarchistic, nihilistic rage against those who won't pursue their vision of economic and societal suicide...

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2:41 PM MST on Tue., Oct. 23, 2007 re: "Calif. Wildfires Force Mass Evacuations"

Examiner Reader said:
Loggers are not allowed to clear the Tahoe area. I live in Reno and driving to Tahoe (30 min drive) all you see are fallen trees. Everytime there is an effort to clear them, law suits are filed and nothing is done. These tree huggers who file these suits have probably never been to this forest. The forest would be so much healthier if it could be cleaned up.

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2:36 PM MST on Tue., Oct. 23, 2007 re: "Calif. Fires Destroy Hundreds of Homes"

Examiner Reader said:
These people have decided how and where they want to live. They are the suffering the most. If they decide not to move back, there will some one to take their place. Stucco and tile roofs should be required in fire areas. As well as cleared area around the homes. People who own the property should decide what happens with the property, if you don't like it - buy the property.

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2:07 PM MST on Tue., Oct. 23, 2007 re: "Calif. Fires Destroy Hundreds of Homes"

Anonymous said:
Limited loggings and USFS controlled burns may or may not be helpful to this situation, but the ultimate problem is that we are spreading out to what used to be pristine wildland, woods and forests that Mother Nature was the one and only force taking care of their lives, deaths and rebirths. By introducing something that are artificial (subdivisions, mountain enclaves, upscale communities) without regards of consequences, no matter - lawsuits or no lawsuits, something will burn. Downed powerlines, fire bugs, or just plain Mother Nature's lightning, you name it. We as people need to plan out how and where exactly we want to live. There is a balance in all things- if we push too far, something will push back. This is unfortunately how Nature can push back. No political parties, factions, administrations can stop it.

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1:40 PM MST on Tue., Oct. 23, 2007 re: "Calif. Fires Destroy Hundreds of Homes"

BostonRay said:
Since their own kalifornia sacred enviro-mutts caused this conflagration by filing lawsuit after lawsuit against the Forest Service brush thinning projects, I would expect they would be the first to volunteer to help put out their fires and rebuild the homes. Why do I expect they will not show up? After all, these are the plantphobic people who spent their time in fear of second hand smoke and at war with smokers - rather than worry about their back yards. The same chemicals in tobacco are also present in fire smoke - all carbon products produce them. According to them half the state should be dead by now. They are now exposed to massive doses rather than trace elements and they are not dying. This happened in 2003 and the vacant zero brained state learned nothing. Why should we care now? Because this whole cost will fall to us much smarter folks through our rising insurance rates, not to mention tax money. I guess it pays to be stupid.

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1:34 PM MST on Tue., Oct. 23, 2007 re: "Over 250,000 Urged to Flee Calif. Fires"

Cornelis Droog said:
This fire is an picture what will be happen in four years time, Oktober 2011 AD the end of time. The day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. (2 Peter 3:10) The ultimate terror - Judgment Day, there is no escape! Are you ready to meet God?

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11:34 AM MST on Tue., Oct. 23, 2007 re: "Calif. Fires Burn 1,200 Structures"

Examiner Reader said:
we here in washington state are sending our prayers to all of you

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8:38 AM MST on Tue., Oct. 23, 2007 re: "Calif. Wildfires Force Mass Evacuations"

Examiner Reader said:
Read story on Drudge about the conditions at the San Diego stadium, where 250,00 people are sitting out the blazes. Far cry from the conditions during Katrina. Just goes to show you what difference a real administration can do. I couldn't believe the N.O. mayor was reelected. Also - It would seem to me that the tree huggers and environMENTAL wackos would let the Loggers come in and thin out and drag out fallen debris, cut firebreaks, this may not happen. But no, the spotted church mouse banded roach habitat may be endangered. What a crock. This happens every year.

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7:41 PM MST on Mon., Oct. 22, 2007 re: "Raging Calif. Fires Burn Scores of Homes"

Examiner Reader said:
Instead of all the pictures of flames that could be anywhere, how about a MAP showing where the fire(s) are ?

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5:31 PM MST on Mon., Oct. 22, 2007 re: "Several fires blaze across sun-scorched Southern California"

Examiner Reader said:
i would like to know more, is san diego( the city its self ) safe if the wind blows towards them how long will it take to get out.. thank you

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11:34 AM MST on Mon., Oct. 22, 2007 re: "Calif. Fires Force 250,000 to Evacuate"

Examiner Reader said:
we need to know about the fire by ramona we live in lakeside and understand they are talking about evacuateing a certian part of lakeside by lake jennings so please talk more about the fire near lakeside thanks

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7:03 PM MST on Sat., Jul. 14, 2007 re: "Los Padres National Forest fire troublesome, Inyo blaze contained"

Examiner Reader said:
Funny thing about this fire is that, all firefighters from this forest (Los Padres) are not on the fire. We have local knowledge of how how things work around here. Instead, of fighting a fire in our own back yard, the FS sent us to the Inyo fire (Eastern Sierras). Then they wonder why the cost of fires continues to skyrocket. It has cost this fire $90,000 per day to keep Cal-fire firefighters in Hotel every night. The Forest service folks sleep in tents, at fire camp. Thats politics for ya

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