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Front Page: Los Angeles Wildfires Double in Size
- Wildfires near Los Angeles have doubled in size. The fires have destroyed more than 50 homes as of now, but some people still refuse to evacuate. —CNN
- Kidnap suspect Phillip Garrido was convicted of a similar crime in 1976, but he only served 11 years of his 50-year sentence.
Justice Served? Homeless Arsonist Ordered to Pay $101 Million
Steven Emory Butcher sleeps in a tent, but the law seems to think he's a millionaire. After setting fires in 2002 and 2006 that destroyed 160,000 acres of national forest, the homeless man was sentenced to four years in prison and $101 million in fines.
While in prison, the arsonist will have to pay $100 each year toward his fine.
Front Page: US Invests $250 Billion in Banks, Wildfires Rip Through Southern CA, McCain's Economic Proposal
- $250 Billion Bank Investment: President Bush announced this morning that the government plans to invest $250 billion into banks, a move that he says is essential to stabilize the financial system. In exchange for the money the government will get an equity stake in the banks. It's the plan promoted by economists in the excellent This American Life episode explaining the crisis.
China to Rebuild Devastated City Somewhere Else
Following the recent earthquake, China plans to rebuild one of its worst-hit cities, Beichuan, in a completely different location. Of the city's 161,000 residents, at least 7,227 died in the quake. The region's Communist Party Chief said:Safety is the top priority in selecting a new location and reconstruction.
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How-To: Stay Safe During a Wildfire
Since the breakout of the August wildfires north of Los Angeles, at least 53 buildings have been destroyed, and 4,300 people have been evacuated. As of this writing, more than 12,000 homes are under threat.
While some families have been reluctant to leave their homes, in the end, your home is just a house.
Have You Ever Been in a Wildfire?
In Southern California, homeowners have been in close proximity to wildfires, which have been made even more dangerous by gusting Santa Ana Winds. Even closer to my home, a Napa Valley area fire has threatened homes and wineries. I have, luckily, never been in or close to a wildfire.
Are You Afraid of Wildfires?
Today marks the three-month anniversary of "Black Saturday." On Feb. 7, as many as 400 fires were recorded in Victoria, Australia, and resulted in 173 confirmed deaths and over 2,000 destroyed homes.
Casa Link: Some Good From the Bad
The Los Angeles Times has an article about a small but lovely solace from devastating wildfires. The high heat of the fire and the nitrous oxide in the smoke can help to germinate long-dormant native flower seeds, resulting in some gorgeous blooms along a fire-scarred landscape. Read the article to get the whole story.
On Fire: Australia Battles Deadliest Natural Disaster in History
Victoria, Australia is welcoming cooler weather, as authorities say it will take several more days to contain blazes that have killed over 100 people.
On site last weekend, Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd proclaimed: "Hell and all its fury has visited the good people of Victoria in the past 24 hours." These residents can thank a record breaking heatwave and perhaps arsonists for the hellish experience.
How-To: Protect Your Family and Home From a Wildfire
As most of you probably know, California has been ravaged by fires this Summer. As I write this, one of my friends awaits evacuation notice at her Southern California home, and several others are keeping a close watch on fire patterns in their area. Fire scares me — it is erratic and unpredictable and frighteningly fast.
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