Science and Society

Before the great housing boom, we used to have those 100-acre brush fires that would come within a few hundred feet of our home. Now they can't get within a mile of us in any direction. A mixed blessing, given the congestion.

I want to see Oprah instead of the fires on the news.

I have no compassion for those who Decide to live in an area where they Know wildfires are frequent. Just like those who live in the shadows of volcanoes, or in severe earthquake zones, or hurricane zones(I live in one and welcome them, I love hurricanes), etc. These are a natural occurance in that area, for the most part. They've been going on for a long time. No one forces these people to live there. It's a choice. Accept the responsibility. Neat pictures Ned.

Natural occurance? What kind of idiot are you? The only natural thing about arson is the hemp rope the arsonists need to be hung by. Get your facts straight. I live here and understand the rsiks associated with NATURAL disasters. I do sign on for mother natures natural adjustments. I did not sign on to have people burn my house down and kill my neighbors which include firefighters. Eartquakes are one thing, tornados are another. That's gods hands at work. No passion. No brains either. Just another idiot with a computer......

I just want to know why people are so hostile?

I Wonder why people are so hostile as well. Its pretty funny that they would even say anything at all,and the points they try to make are ridiculous also! "DUH". lol. People are amazing...

I have 1 sister that just got evacuated in Escondido, and I have 2 nephews fighting these fires, please keep all fire fighters in your prayers!!

I pray for those who have been affected by these fires, I too live in So Cal but I am not yet affected. I just want to know what kind of person could not have compassion for those who are suffering? I am glad not to know a person like that, it disgusts me how self centered and evil people in this world can be. People who lack compassion and love for others are truly ugly through and through. Yes, I Mean You!

I'm in Lakeside, and lived in Alpine during the Cedar Fire. Interestingly, the 2007 Witch Fire is taking many of the same paths - Peutz Valley, Harbison Valley. My house is ok, I'll see if my work in Poway is there. Good Luck. Take care

to Lawrence who feels that the military and their families who live in Rancho Bernardo are idiots to live in the path of disasters...........shame on you !!!
their are homeless families tonight, the same families who sent their husbands and wives off to fight for folks like you !!!

How Ironic that the conservationists in denying your right to clear your land of flammable brush has contributed to these fires, I wonder how much they have contributed to "Global Warming" as a result.

I dont mean to sound rude and I am appauled by the damage
but why do usa folks still build houses in wood?
the rest of the world uses brick
which is less suseptible to fire damage and holds up to hurricane winds

my comment above was not meant to be derogatory I feel deeply for those who have lost their homes and I salute the firefighters I am from the uk so please excuse what may seem a thoughtless post regarding building houses of wood in an area of high fire risk
there must be a reason for doing so and that is what i really wanted to ask
perhaps its cheaper to build a big house in wood rather than a smaller safer house in brick?

GLASS OF MILK

One day, a poor boy who was selling goods from door to door to pay his way through school, found he had only one thin dime left, and he was hungry.

He decided he would ask for a meal at the next house. However, he lost his nerve when a lovely young woman opened the door.

Instead of a meal he asked for a drink of water! . She thought he looked hungry so brought him a large glass of milk. He drank it so slowly, and then asked, "How much do I owe you?"

"You don't owe me anything," she replied. "Mother has taught us never to accept pay for a kindness."

He said ... "Then I thank you from my heart."

As Howard Kelly left that house, he not only felt stronger physically, but his faith in God and man was strong also. He had been ready to give up and quit.

Many years later that same young woman became critically ill. The local doctors were baffled. They finally sent her to the big city, where they called in specialists to study her rare disease.

Dr. Howard Kelly was called in for the consultation. When he heard the name of the town she came from, a strange light filled his eyes.

Immediately he rose and went down the hall of the hospital to her room.

Dressed in his doctor's gown he went in to see her. He recognized her at once.

He went back to the consultation room determined to do his best to save her life. From that day he gave special attention to her case.

After a long struggle, the battle was won.

Dr. Kelly requested the business office to pass the final bill to him for approval. He looked at it, then wrote something on the edge and the bill was sent to her room. She feared to open it, for she was sure it would take the rest of her life to pay for it all. Finally she looked, and something caught her attention on the side of the bill. She read these words ...

"Paid in full with one glass of milk"

(Signed) Dr. Howard Kelly.

Tears of joy flooded her eyes as her happy heart prayed: "Thank You,
God, that Your love has spread broad through human hearts and hands."

There's a saying which goes something like this: Bread cast on the waters comes back to you. The good deed you do today may benefit you or someone you love at the least expected time. If you never see the deed again at least you will have made the world a better place - And, after all, isn't that what life is all about?

Now you have two choices.

1. You can send this page on and spread a positive message.

2. Or ignore it and pretend it never touched your heart.

The hardest thing to learn in life is which bridge to cross and which -- To burn.

To Steve Hedley, brick houses in earthquake country are dangerous. I believe that wood construction flexes better with the earthquakes.

To the brick house comment, look at the news - the CASTLE a well known landmark went up in flames!
The sparks got in through a ventilation grill and started up the fire from the inside...now are you going to say that there should be no wood furniture, paper or other flamable items "inside" the house too?
Fire is the one element that most closely immitates life.
It consumes oxygen. It leaves waste. It reproduces itself through it's sparks. Devoid of oxygen it dies. It can appear spontaneously if the conditions are right.
Prevention could have helped, clearing away the underbrush - the leaves and kindling could have helped - having helicopters drench areas with water before the fire may have helped.
But this is just another symptom of a much larger problem.
So far we're just taking an asprin for the pain, we haven't really started to treat the cancer.
Too many mouths, and not enough ears, makes it hard for the hands to get anything done. And some leaders & profit mongers seem to be sitting on the hands that could help.

California homes are mostly built with wood to withstand earthquakes. Flying bricks are also very dangerous. Even with a brick home, it will not withstand a raging wildfire once the roof or other parts of the house catch fire.

To Steve Hedley: Houses are made of wood in SoCal because they are more resistant to earthquakes than bricks.

Houses are built of wood because most of California is earthquake country. Wood framing will withstand moderate earthquakes, whereas brick walls will not, unless they are specially built for that purpose with extensive reinforcing steel. That type of construction is not practical in California.

For the heartless comments on top..I am a resident that lives less than 2 miles from the current fire. I didn't chose a place close to the fire line, but it is still finding its way to our area. I have 2 young children, both of whom are scared that they are going to lose everything they own....Do you honestly believe that I would purposely choose to do this to my children? This was NOT a natural disaster, this was the work of some idiot that thought it would be fun to play with fire. Many people are suffering due to the stupid actions of some pin-head right now.

I would never wish this kind of fear, or the kind of loss so many have had endured so far on anyone...Not even heartless, self-centered, narrow minded people as yourself.

For those of you that have a heart, thank you for keeping those that have lost so much in your thoughts. It's people like you that will one day make this world a much better place.