With several fires still burning in Southern California on Saturday, 10-27-07, the horrible tradegy is still on our minds, and the aftermath is just starting. Before the mass exodus of volunteers and equipment and the rebuilding gets underway, let's thank all the firefighters, forestry people, pilots, volunteers, care-givers, and donors that brought it all to an end.
We all saw it on TV, spectacular, but heart-breaking, and we felt for the animals. But they were cared for, too. In my time, this was the worst fire I've ever seen. The volunteer of people and equipment from other States was fantastic. Even volunteer firefighters from Mexico, too. GA airports were being used as bases and staging areas for both ground and air firefighting operations.
It was a sight to see all the tankers dropping slurry and water on the high-rising flames and smoke, all against fierce Santa Ana winds. Department of Homeland Security Kerchoff reported on the fires, citing 90 tanker airplanes and helicopters of all sizes, operating from various airports and bases. There were Grumman S-2 airtankers, UH-1H Super Huey helicopters, the OV-10As from the Dept of Forestry, C-130 aircraft tankers, and a DC-10 air tanker. Firefighters came from all across the Country to help.
The aftermath and the recovery, I'm sure, will continue for months. The damage to property was estimated in excess of $ 1 Billion dollars. The damage to human suffering is unthinkable. What can be done to prevent the fires from happening in the future - it's going to take a lot of thought and planning from everyone. Let's start by getting rid of the arsonists promptly. The weather - we'll have to mediate.
Thanks for listening. R.S.
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