I would like to send out prayers and positive thoughts to all in the path of destruction in Southern California. We must have some members from that area. I noticed the forum is different this week.

I have heard some conflicting stories this week. George Carlin made the statement that the situation was caused by over building and these people deserve what they got. I was appalled by that statement.

Jamie Lee Curtis said she thought it was a manmade situation. I have heard there were two arson fires, but the rest was from the Santa Ana winds, heat, low humidity, drought and dry brush.

What are your thoughts on this?

We can use the same links to offer help to these people as we used for the Katrina victims.
Helping Katrina Victims

__________________
InterfaithForums.com-Where your ideas and beliefs count.

Offering prayers to the victims of these fires. May they make it through safely.

I haven't been following the news close enough to know what the facts are, but generally speaking these types of fires are usually started by people; accidental or arson, then spread because of local conditions. But regardless of how the fires started, it is still necessary to put them out and restore the homes of those in the area. At this point, I don't think we need to place blame, but rather focus energies at getting the fires under control, whether that be through financial assistance, fire fighting assistance, or spiritual assistance.

Southern California has been on an environmentally fragile balance for a long time... The Old Fire of a few years ago practically decimated most of our forests in the San Bernardino mountains... this fire began rapidy with Santa Ana Winds and within a day compromised large areas..

San Diego County and Orange County also has been severely hit... So fires to the north of us as well as fires to the south of us.

Global warming...long drouts and dry periods...bark beatles all doing their work.

Breathing is more of a problem also for many as smoke and ash build up in already dust laden smog laden air. So most schools have been out the past week.

After these fires will come mud slides if there is significant rain... so many are between a rock and a ...

Developers expanded the areas of building in the past years in places that were formerly wild or at least considered too fragile for homes before...so areas that were river washes or close to scrub and brush deserts have been encroached on... Sightings of cougars and bears also should have suggested that some homes were being built too close to habitats reserved for wild life...

It's not over yet but I think as the winds have died down and temps falling there may be some light at the end of the tunnel. It gets old fast to smell burning forests and grasslands all day.

- Art

__________________
"it benefits us to be thoughtful, not of the glory of our minds, but rather, above all else, of the glory of God."
- Johannes Kepler

We've had fewer people on the forum this past week and I would assume we have some Southern California members or their servers are there.

It seems like people want to go back to the same areas and rebuild. The motels must be filled and I can't imagine where all of these people are staying. I hope everyone has a place to stay shortly and that the air is cleaned up.

I wonder if this will drive housing costs up or down. I could see it going both way, up because of a shortage of home, and down because of unlivable environment.

__________________
InterfaithForums.com-Where your ideas and beliefs count.

...who are in harms way, espeically the firefighters and emergency personnel, and its hard not to sympathise with those who lose family.

That said, I was a little bemused by Bush, who rushed to southern California to assure those wealthy people who were left homeless that the Federal Government was there for them...while people are still living in trailers who used to own homes in New Orlean's Ninth Ward.

Directly or indirectly, humans are responsible for ther fires; global warming plays it's role, building in remote hill and canyon areas is ill advised at best, arson, etc. The list is quite long. That doesn't mean I have no sympathy for those who are victims...even victims of their own stupidity deserve some sympathy, after all, beacuse we all do stupid things from time to time.

__________________
Grassaf, Eolas

Yesterday there was actually rain in several places in Southern Californi so my prayer is that this immensely helped the fire fighting efforts... Also the winds have died down.. We still see bombers over head carrying fire retardants and water ..

Also for the first time in a week the air is noticeably cleaner of smoke and ashes.

My son is a paramedic and has been working overtime in the affected areas of Lake Arrowhead. My wife for the most part has been watching the grandchildren while he is on duty. It is expected that school will resume on Monday in most areas of the San Bernardino valley..

- Art

__________________
"it benefits us to be thoughtful, not of the glory of our minds, but rather, above all else, of the glory of God."
- Johannes Kepler

Thank you for the update, Art. I hope it continues to improve. How many people have been able to return to intact homes?

__________________
InterfaithForums.com-Where your ideas and beliefs count.

I haven't personally seen any figures as yet...

- Art

__________________
"it benefits us to be thoughtful, not of the glory of our minds, but rather, above all else, of the glory of God."
- Johannes Kepler