West Coast Ablaze – Fires in California and British Columbia

Posted by Thomas Alan Gray Aug 28, 2009

Because of the million dollar homes being threatened and destroyed, and because of their proximity to heavily-populated LA, these fires are even making the news in Canada.

"At least 1700 firefighters were battling fires in Portuguese Bend on the Palos Verdes Peninsula, in Hemet, just north of La Cañada Flintridge and above Azusa. In each case, the fires were fueled by dense, dry vegetation and record high temperatures" says a story By Seema Mehta and Robert J. Lopez in the LA Times, August 28, 2009. Based on news reports, some 10,000 acres have burned.

Further north up the coast, British Columbia has its own share of forest fires, with at least 120,000 acres ravaged during August. According to a UPI report filed August 24, cooler temperatures and lighter winds have slowed the spread of these fires, but many continue out of control.

For all the fire fighters and those whose homes are endangered, we offer our prayers and sympathy. The advent of cooler temperatures and winter weather will be a welcome relief.