-
-
Nine feared dead in US air crash
Nine people are missing feared dead after a helicopter carrying firefighters crashed on its way to a forest fire in northern California.
The helicopter went down on Tuesday night about 35 miles (56km) north-west of Redding in a remote area.
The cause of the crash of the Sikorsky S-61 was not immediately known.
The helicopter was carrying 11 firefighters and two crewmen. Four people are being treated in hospital for burns.
Two are said to be in critical condition and two serious.
Ian Gregor, spokesman for the Federal Aviation Administration, said the helicopter was destroyed in the crash.
The firefighters had been tackling a blaze that was covering 27 sq miles (70sq km) of the Shasta-Trinity National Forest.
Investigators are being sent to the scene. Nine people are missing feared dead after a helicopter carrying firefighters crashed on its way to a forest fire in northern Californi... more -
California firefighters get help from NASA drone
"Fire crews battling nearly 300 blazes burning across California are getting help from a pilotless plane that transmits real-time images of hot spots and flare-ups to commanders in the field.
The unmanned drone developed by NASA scientists discovered a hot flare-up in a canyon near the town of Paradise, prompting fire officials to issue evacuation orders for 10,000 people in Butte County last week. Thick smoke and heat had prevented other aircraft from patrolling the area.
Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger on Monday toured the NASA Ames Research Center in Mountain View, where he credited the NASA technology with saving lives and pushed an initiative to charge homeowners a fee to pay for emergency response equipment.
"This unmanned plane is a true life-saver. But even though we get all this terrific help, California needs more resources, there's no two ways about it," the governor said." "Fire crews battling nearly 300 blazes burning across California are getting help from a pilotless plane that transmits real-time... more -
Uncommon Heroes of the California Wildfires
We've all heard about the firefighters who have come from all over to help fight the California wildfires that have been raging for over a month, but there are a large group of firefighters that we haven't heard much about, and they are the main ones fighting the fires.
Prison inmates have been taught firefighting skills and are working in great numbers to contain all of these fires that are breaking out. These low-security inmates are getting obvious confidence and joy from being given a chance to contribute positively to the community. We've all heard about the firefighters who have come from all over to help fight the California wildfires that have been raging f... more -
Boston.com's photo journalism of CA wildfires
Boston.com has a photo journalism series The Big Picture. Here's their set on the CA Wildfires.
-
CALIFORNIA FIRE NEWS
This is the blog for CA fire news and information. Updates available on http://twitter.com/CalFireNews
-
Do you smell something burning?
SAN FRANCISCO – Another day of smoke-filled skies is prompting air quality officials to extend a health advisory for the Bay Area.
Officials with the Bay Area Air Quality Management District say because of smoke from wildfires burning in the region, the air throughout much of the nine counties in the Bay Area region is expected to reach unhealthy levels again Friday.
______________
This sucks for anyone who likes to be outside or breathe fresh air. SAN FRANCISCO – Another day of smoke-filled skies is prompting air quality officials to extend a health advisory for the Bay Area. ... more -
Lightning storms spark more than 800 fires in CA
Lightning storms have sparked over more than 840 fires across Northern California. The unprecedented lighting storm lasted 5,000 to 6,000 strikes. WOAH!! There are so many fires that firefighters from Nevada and Oregon have been enlisted to help.
So far no homes have been destroyed. Lightning storms have sparked over more than 840 fires across Northern California. The unprecedented lighting storm lasted 5,000 to 6... more -
California fires - jesus
From gino's flickr stream. Wow, that's a lot of fires.
-
Sorry about the fire, here's a Nano!
Apple has donated 100 iPod Nano's to the families who lost pretty much everything in the fires that recently happened in Southern California.
Umm...okayyy?? Apple has donated 100 iPod Nano's to the families who lost pretty much everything in the fires that recently happened in Southern... more -
Will a Child be Charged in California Fires?
"The 10-year-old boy who accidentally started one of the worst California wildfires last month could face stern consequences, should prosecutors decide to bring charges. Though too young to be charged as an adult, the boy could still face millions of dollars in fines, removal from his home and possible detention as a ward of the state. For now the boy's fate and that of his parents, who would be partially liable for any restitution payments he would have to pay rests with Los Angeles County District Attorney Steve Cooley. His office told TIME he has not yet decided how to proceed. "The matter is under review," spokeswoman Sandi Gibbons told TIME on Monday. 'No decision has been made.'
"To bring those charges, all Cooley must decide is whether the boy knew right from wrong an easy standard to meet, other prosecutors in the state say." "The 10-year-old boy who accidentally started one of the worst California wildfires last month could face stern consequences, sho... more -
Flamethrowing reliever Joel Zumaya injures shoulder moving belongings during CA fl...
He's expected to be out for half of next season...
This guy throws 100mph and whatnot and was a key reason why the Tigers went to the World Series in '06...
This adds to the list of unconventional injuries he suffered...
During the postseason, last year, he injured himself playing Guitar Hero and ended up missing games in the ALCS... He's expected to be out for half of next season... ... more -
Cheney falls asleep during Cabinet meeting on wildfires.
During a cabinet meeting yesterday, Vice President Cheney fell asleep on camera while President Bush was discussing wildfires in California. A Cheney spokeswoman laughed it off, telling CNN that the vice president was practicing meditation. CNNs chyron reported that Cheney was seen meditating rather than sleeping During a cabinet meeting yesterday, Vice President Cheney fell asleep on camera while President Bush was discussing wildfires in Calif... more
-
Hugger In Chief
Journalistic skepticism compels us to note that presidential hugs usually are photo ops, staged for the cameras and calculated to deliver the prepackaged sentiment... Either way the man is a generous hugger. Journalistic skepticism compels us to note that presidential hugs usually are photo ops, staged for the cameras and calculated to deli... more
-
Space Shuttle Video of California Fires
at first it's a bad angle, but then you see it all. (Click on image for link to video)
-
San Diego Evacuees
Across Southern California, residents are evacuating to the homes of family and friends. We visit one family.
-
Bush flies over California fires
US President George W Bush has flown over the area devastated by the California wildfires to see the extent of the damage for himself.
-
Officials: 22,000 acre fire was set
The Santiago Fire in Orange County has already destroyed at least 22 structures and is estimated to have caused about $10 million in damage. About 1,100 firefighters are working to control the blaze, which was only 30 percent contained on Thursday morning.
It seems unreal that someone would purposefully do this. The Santiago Fire in Orange County has already destroyed at least 22 structures and is estimated to have caused about $10 million in d... more -
Before the fire: Castle Kashan
A look inside Castle Kashan, the amazing Malibu Castle tragically destroyed in the ongoing California wildfire that has claimed two lives and displaced over 300,000 people. Images like these are all that remain of the once opulent home of philanthropist LILLY LAWRENCE. A look inside Castle Kashan, the amazing Malibu Castle tragically destroyed in the ongoing California wildfire that has claimed two li... more
-
Californian fires affect TV shows
Filming of TV shows including 24 has reportedly been hit by the wild fires sweeping across southern California.
-
Fire Survivors, Immigrants arrested in Evacuation Center
Border Patrol agents, moved to help out at evacuation centers and with supplies, have taken advantage and arrest fire victims who happen to be undocumented immigrants. While this story accuses them of stealing (I call bullshit) there are reports of Border Patrol setting up check-points and harrassing these folks.
The population of some of these evac. centers is overwhelmingly Latino.
The only station covering this in the Los Angeles area is local Univision station KMEX-34. They've interviewed people in centers both in San Diego and San Bernardino where people are fearful and considering leaving the centers.
Additional Links:
http://www.kpbs.org/news/local;id=9979
http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2007/10/23/18455637.ph...
http://temas.univision.com/eve/forums?a=tpc&s=74660... Border Patrol agents, moved to help out at evacuation centers and with supplies, have taken advantage and arrest fire victims who happ... more
-
related topics
California Fires
Contributors (119)
California Fires
