Fires spotted from space

Chris Eldridge, Harrisburg PA — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 02:38:19 GMT

With hightly specialized planes (perhaps like the yet to fly A400M or the Shinmeywa US-1A Kai - a four-engine rescue floatplane and fire bomber) we could and should begin to create a highly specialized international fire fighting force similar in size, specialization, and funding to a rapid-deployment airborne division. This force would be able to respond to wilderness wildfires in even the most remote and hard to reach areas of the world. Truly, we must realize that if our planet is warming and droughts begin hitting places (such as rainforests) harder and harder, we’ll need to take much more active and direct measures to protect these remaining wilderness areas and indeed our communities than we do. Our fire fighting services just don't have the specialized hardware that our military does. It's also a shame to note how we have - in the past - turned down the aid of the Russians who have the largest fire bombing type aircraft in the world.

Fires spotted from space

JANE DOE FED UP WITH OUR GOVERMENT LETTING THIS COUNTRY DOWN! — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 03:51:46 GMT

I blame the PRESIDENT FOR THIS FIRE GETTING THIS FAR OUT OF CONTROL. HE SHOULD HAVE IMMEDIATELY STEPPED IN SEEING THAT WE ARE IN A SEVERE DROUGHT, AND TAXPAYERS ARE GOING TO HAVE TO PAY FOR ALL THOSE MILLION DOLLAR HOMES BURNED! NOT BEING INSENSISTIVE, BUT JUST SAYING AND I PRAY FOR ALL THOSE IMPACTED BY THIS FIRE!

Fires spotted from space

GLH — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 05:09:48 GMT

Agree, specialized fire fighting aircraft that are modern, not refurbished older designs. New aircraft, specifically designed for fighting fires would be the way to go, or off the shelf aircraft, like the C-130J would be better than nothing. A400M (made overseas)and the smaller, less usefull Japanese prototype would be a bad idea, and we have three aircraft that carry more water than the largest Russian firefighting aircraft (747/DC-10/Martin Mars).....

Fires spotted from space

Joe Costello, Temecula, SoCal — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 09:49:11 GMT

YOU DON'T REALIZE THE CONDITIONS WE WERE UNDER! WITH SUSTAINED WINDS OF A CAT 1 HURRICANE AND GUSTS OVER A 100MPH IT DOES'NT MATTER HOW MANY AND GOOD A PLANE YOU HAVE UP THERE. DID YOU EVEN SEE THEM TRY TO MAKE A WATER OR RETARDENT DROP? IT DISSIPATED SO QUICKLY BEFORE IT HIT THE TARGET AREA THAT IT WAS POINTLESS. WITH 100 DEGREE TEMPS AND ABOUT 5% HUMIDITY. AND THE NEWS ONLY TELEVISED THE MAIN FIRES. THERE WERE OVER 40 FIRES. JUST WATCH HOW FAST THEY GET THESE FIRES CONTAINED WITH THE WIND DIRECTION COMING BACK IN FROM THE OCEAN WITH COOLER MOIST AIR AND MINIMUM WIND SPEED. I HAVE FRIENDS THAT HAVE LOST AND COME REAL CLOSE TO LOSING THEIR HOMES THIS WEEK. SO BEFORE ANY OF YOU TALK ABOUT WHAT SHOULDA COULDA BEEN DONE YOU HAVE TO LIVE IT FIRST! AND NOW I GET TO SEE WHAT HAPPENS NOW WITH THE FIRE CLOSEST TO US WITCH IS THE POOMCHA AND WITCH FIRES THAT HAVE COMBINED FOR OVER 225,000 ACRES BURNED, MORE THAN ALL THE OTHER FIRES COMBINED IN JUST 3 DAYS! YET IT HAS BEEN BARELY TALKED ABOUT. ANYWAY I COULD GO ON FOREVER! MAY GOD BLESS THOSE THAT HAVE SUFFERED SO MUCH!

Fires spotted from space

Sick of people like Jane Doe — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 11:47:52 GMT

Jane Doe:

Of course you blame the President. Why wouldn't you? Let me ask you this, what exactly should he have done? Should he taken time off from work to water every forest? Or maybe he should have use that amazing machine that we all know the government has to move the rainy weather to southern California.

I am by no means a huge proponent of this administration, but it is time for people to stop blaming the President and the government for everything that goes wrong (especially when it is a natural occurance) and assume some responsibility for themselves.

Fires spotted from space

Rick - Orlando, FL — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 12:05:19 GMT

Don't forget that wildfires are a naturally occurring phenomenon, especially in certain areas of the world (like Southern California, or Florida where I live). Not to say these particular fires were caused naturally, as I know arson has been listed as a possible cause... but these fires were happening milliennia before we were around, and long long before global warming was even an idea. Just keep it in perspective. Those mountains were already there... the fires occurred naturally before we put million dollar homes on them... and they will continue to occur.

Fires spotted from space

Jack Doe — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 12:22:29 GMT

For Jane Doe...you've got to be kidding! States have primacy over how they manage land; criminals set fires and home owners are who make choices where they live. If you go to LA for the warm climate and easy living,, then live with the earthquake and fire potential. Suck it up Jane.

Fires spotted from space

Tim Witzig — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 12:34:10 GMT

Noboby talks about the fact these fires are a natural occurance and that nobody should be living in these areas. To keep fighting these fires and paying for it with taxpayer money is shortsighted and wasteful. These are not natural disasters, they are natural period. When I see those pictures from space it seems clear to me. We put ourselves in harms way again and again. Perhaps we should develop plans for the future that build upon the earth taking nature into account.

Fires spotted from space

Derek Meche — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 12:43:11 GMT

Dear Jane;

WHY does the president bear responsibility for the fires? Is he alone suppose to be God or Superman and swoop down to the rescue for every single crisis KNOWING that if he did not it would get out of hand?

True, more money could be spent for the U. S. Forestry Service to fight fires. It is not because HE, the president, is spending the nation’s treasury on the war. This war should have been fought far more aggressively from the beginning and these nuts cases crushed, but that is off the subject. The real problem with federal money is too many people at the trough who want, want, want and demand more and more services from politicians who give away our hard earned tax money just get reelected.

Lastly if the "greenys" would allow the underbrush to be cleared and burned these fires would not get out of control!

Bottom line, term limit all politicians, stop giving away "entitlements" to every bleeding heart in front of a camera and give only to those who have EARNED it or TRUELY deserve it. Fight the war more aggressively and END IT! Take care of our national parks and lands responsibly and STOP listening to the "greenys"!!! Get off your rear end, stop watching so much TV and DEMAND responsible government!!!

Fires spotted from space

james, sterling, ct — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 12:49:14 GMT

if we have had this technology and it can find the hot spots, then in the future why the hell don’t we use it to detect were hot spots are, on the earth, so that we can determine were a fire is most likely to be more violent. This way we could determine if a forest fire were to start of heat we would know were it would start, and it a forest fire started we would know were we wouldn’t want the fire to spread to. In today’s world we have so much technology that we could use to do so much if we put it to good use but like everything in this world, there is or has to be money involved

Fires spotted from space

Carl Hogman, Coram, Mt. — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 12:59:59 GMT

With winds over 50-60 mph, aircraft are nearly useless in trying to subdue fires. Enough hot embers can be blown miles ahead of the "main" fire to ignite fuels of any sort. The president was not responsible for starting these fires either.

Fires spotted from space

JL, Irving, Tx — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 13:02:29 GMT

Jane Doe:

You're right. The president has the power to stop wind. Wow, I didn't know that!! He also has the extraoridnary gift to stop random people that flick cigarrette butts out their car windows and start fires such as these.

Get a grip on reality. Mother nautre determined this fire would be as big as it has been. Go get a life and stop blaming your problems on the government.

Fires spotted from space

Fillip, Milwaukee, WI — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 13:17:26 GMT

The government responses to these disasters have little or nothing to do with the outcomes. The difference lies in the people affected. In California, you have mostly working and educated people taking responsibility for themselves and helping each other and first responders as best as they can. In New Orleans, you had mostly lifetime and/or multi-generational welfare recipients, lazily waiting around for yet another bailout, quick to blame somebody else, raping and pillaging at first opportunity, and actually shooting at first responders sent to help them.

Fires spotted from space

Mark, San Antonio — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 13:23:01 GMT

Jane Doe,
State issues such as drought and fires are handled by state govenment. If the state wants aid, they ask for it. The federal govenment, specifically the executive branch, is not responsible for everything that goes on in this great nation. State soverienty is much more important in the American ideal. We do not want an all powerfull Presidency. Learn a little more about how the government works before shouting out accusations. Also, don't buy into everything the media/internet is putting out about the government (on both sides). Yes, there are problems with the govenment, but blaming the President for what is happening in California is an unsupportable argument.

Fires spotted from space

Jon Ander, Seattle, Washington — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 13:27:37 GMT

OK folks, let me see if I have a good grasp of the situation!

First Point: Every Century, Decade and darn near every year, this area has fires -- big fires. It is so bad and it is so regular that the State of California was moving fire fighting equipment and personnel into the area before these fires broke out. The reason they did this is because the area is dry and it happens to be fire season!

Second Point: The people in the area refuse to take steps that would reduce the fire risk to their homes and property like removing brush or choosing landscaping that is less prone to catching on fire. They refuse to allow controlled burns et cetera!

Third Point: When the rains come, we will see all of the sob stories on the news about the mud slides, which happen every year just like the fires!

Fourth Point: We will read about all of the sob stories about the insurance companies screwing the people who lost homes from the fires and mudslides... kind of like what happened for Hurricane Katrina or 'Insert Name of Disaster Here.' (This happens because we put Christian Fanatics into office and they refuse too pass regulations that would actually help us.)

Sixth Point: We have 'Non-Pilots' writing in saying we need 747 tankers and stuff like that who have never flown in a narrow canyon while fighting 40,60, or 100 mph winds gusts while trying to avoid flying into the side of a hill. In other words, they don't have a clue about reality!

Seventh Point: Nobody wants to write in and ask the tough question like where is the National Guard? Oh I'm sorry, they are in Iraq along with all the planes and helicopters. They don't want to ask just how is our country going to pay for this? Oh I'm sorry, Congress will have no trouble raising the National Debt limit to Ten Trillion plus dollars after all, there is Bush's never ending war to consider and what is a billion or two extra... there is an election coming up after all!

Now with these points to consider I would like to know just what have all of these refuges have done to help themselves? Just what are these people doing? Do you really think Arnold will do anything? Do you really think Bush or Congress will do anything... there track record is worse than Arnold's! Do you think FEMA is going to be of any real help?

Do you think Brian Williams, Katie Couric and Charles Gibson will go out there and help along side with Brad and Jolie?

Fires spotted from space

chuck massie, amarillo, texas — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 13:30:09 GMT

Jane, you're right. The president in Washington D.C. is responsible. Too bad you're on to his evil scheme to send the whole country down the toilet, now he'll have to come up with something more ingenious so that the real thinkers of the world, you, will have to work all the harder to catch the next one. [...]

Fires spotted from space

Lori Vasick, McDonough, NY — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 13:41:12 GMT

GOD BLESS EACH AND EVERY ONE OF THOSE FIREMEN FOR RISKING THEIR LIVES TO SAVE LAND, HOMES, BUSINESSES, SCHOOLS AND LIVES!!!

Fires spotted from space

not stupid Seattle area — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 13:58:38 GMT

The A400 hasn't even FLOWN yet

The Canadians have a pretty good water bomber fleet, too

Fires spotted from space

steve, minneapolis, mn — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 14:04:18 GMT

Why is it that some people take adventage of every situation to bash people in government office? These fires are allegedly the result of arson that was fueled by a severe drought and strong dry Santa Anna winds(the governemnts have no control of the weather). If anyone is to blame for the extensive loss of property and life, it is the arsonists. And even if it wasn't arson, this area is prone to wildfires that start naturally (lightening, etc). The property loss and deaths are a side effect of urban sprawl. When people choose to build and live in areas prone to natural disasters such as fire, earthquake, volcanoe, hurricanes and the like, they must also be willing to live with the consequences of those decisions.

Firefighters and rescue personnel from across the country have performed flawlessly. The winds made it too dangerous to fly the planes needed to fight the fire. The planes were available, it was just too dangerous to fly them.

Cailfornia was at the mercy of Mother Nature, not the government. And Mother Nature seems to have not been in a good mood this week.

Fires spotted from space

cdugga — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 14:06:23 GMT

I always see firefighters out in front of flames they can hardly stop. Do they come in from behind where they would be safer and could get closer to the flame?

Fires spotted from space

MikeG, Clearwater, FL — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 14:09:57 GMT

Excellent article, thank you. I am thrilled to see NASA R&D dollars paying off in a very practical and timely fashion.

For years NASA has failed to live up to the promises it made regarding the International Space Station -- don't we all remember the claims of superdrugs that can only be crystalized in weightless environements, or ultra-pure silicon wafers that'd revolutionize the semiconductor industry? None of those things have come to pass, yet we've spent billions of dollars on what will go down in history as the biggest boondoggle of all time.

It's great to see a relatively small, inexpensive program like the Ikhana aircraft project returning some tangible results. I'm especially pleased to see the Predator warplane retasked to civilian purposes.

Fires spotted from space

Tim Hempleman, Oakdale,CA — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 14:12:52 GMT

You're right. The president started these fires. He and Cheney used Haliburton-supplied matches while Rumsfeld looked-out.

Fires spotted from space

Steve Yaros, Indianapolis, IN — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 14:13:08 GMT

The insurance companies pay for the damaged homes. Most if not all of these people had the money to insure their homes. The President is ONE man...quit blaming him for EVERYTHING. FEMA has done what they can, much better than Katrina. The weather has been terrible to fight a fire in...but I guess the President is supposed to wave a magic wand and make everything ok? Get a grip on reality Jane Doe... [...]

Fires spotted from space

PD, Frankfort, KY — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 14:17:06 GMT

That's right - it's George Bushs' fault! ;0 One of the worst droughts in California history and what was the state of California doing? It's the policies and laws in place in states like California that prevent the state from taking a proactive stance to combat fires; i.e. controlled burns all summer long on the hillsides to get rid of the tinder that has given fuel to the fire. But remember this is the land of the ultra-liberal, environmental do-gooders more concerned with saving trees than lives and hard-earned property. The 80-100 mile/hr winds are not an aberration so it was predictable what would happen after a drought. Mother Earth shows us again who is in charge.

Fires spotted from space

Chuck Waters, Portland, OR — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 14:24:24 GMT

Yep, your right I saw George myself with a good ole book of matches trying to start that fire... I couldn't hold back any longer, this is directed at you Jane Doe [...]. This has nothing to do with the President. What is California? Well, it is predominantly a desert, no? And what are deserts? Oh, deserts are dry, no? And where did these people build their homes? In a dry desert perhaps? Lest's be realistic about this, the wildfires occured long before those million dollar homes were built... And by the way, did they (the homeowners) adhere to the 100 foot perimeter for vegatation around their homes? Let's place the blame where it belongs, people not having regard for existing building codes, regulations or laws and then suffering the consequences. Remember for every action their is an opposite reaction.

Fires spotted from space

Louis, Trabuco Cyn. CA — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 14:33:39 GMT

No need to type in caps killer. Weren't we talking about satellites, anyway this international fire department would be cool but for god sake can we please keep control out of NATO's hands, please. Fires suck but we have some kick ass firefighters out here. And much love to those guys for saving my parents place.

Fires spotted from space

barrington lynchburg va. — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 14:38:21 GMT

jane doe blame it on mother nature ,not the president

Fires spotted from space

Rick Perez — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 14:44:52 GMT

The GAO released a audit indicating that the Fed. Dept. of Forrestry had no budget outlays, strategic plans or equipment deployment plans. Furthermore, the audit was delivered to the White House and was critical of this kind of shortsighted KATRINA like failure. I put these losses at the doorstep of the Bush Administration. Just another catastrophe for this country under an administration that does not believe in government's role in disaster preparedness or aiding the average American.

I expect that it will take a severely debilitated FEMA years to ralley any aid for Southern California.

Fires spotted from space

Kate Hudelson Harrison, AR — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 14:48:26 GMT

We used to say that government moved at a glacial pace. Now the glaciers are beating them. We are one world in a war against our own demise. Let's not let old differences not block the hope of a future. even as all of us boomers are retirin, senility has not totally set in. We changed the world once. Now that we have done our stent "Working for the Man",let us once again take on the interests of humanity and make a difference.

Fires spotted from space

Ellyn — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 14:59:50 GMT

I suppose Jane Doe would rather have paid to water the entire state of California? Let's see, if I run a hose from my house on the east coast....Oh wait, we're also in a drought. Must be the president's fault! If she doesn't want to pay the cost of million dollar homes being burned as a "taxpayer" then maybe she should move to another country. Or perhaps learn that it's INSURANCE money that will go up and pay for the houses - her taxes pay for fighting the fires.

Fires spotted from space

Norman, Jackson, Ms — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 15:04:06 GMT

Jane Doe the President did not build houses in a fire prone area or cause 100 mph winds to blow. You can not control a fire were embers blow for miles and start new fires. Forget your political agenda and develop reasoning skills. The government is not responsible for everything people need to take some control of themselves.

Fires spotted from space

disgusted with Bush bashers, Winchester Va. — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 15:05:55 GMT

To Jane doe! I woke up this morning with diarrhea, I blame the President for this!!! If he were more proactive, he coulda prevented me from eating that bad food last night! I am sick (literally) and tired of the government not protecting my idiotic nature!

Fires spotted from space

J. Jansen, Chicago, IL — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 15:06:45 GMT

In response to JANE DOE: Please keep in mind that our country's government is founded on principles including the separation of powers -- the federal government (i.e. the President) cannot just take over any situation confined in a single state. There are protocols and procedures that must legally be followed, including having the governor request help from the federal government. Don't automatically assign blame if you didn't retain anything from your high school history and government classes.

Fires spotted from space

Bluecat4usa, Kingston, MA — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 15:07:02 GMT

Yeah JANE DOE, The President caused the fire. He's God and he's sending a message to SoCal about all of the ungodly things you do out there!

Actually the Santa Ana winds were most likely caused by all that hot Liberal air being blown around out there from the likes of Stark and Pelosi not to mention Hollywood airheads like Rosie O'Donnell and Sean Penn.

http://bluecatsblog.blogspot.com/

Fires spotted from space

Fed up with ignorant liberal natureist Bush haters — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 15:08:59 GMT

Maybe the fires are natures way f saying for the population of California to thin itself out before she brings on a fury that no one has seen?
Plus, why would the taxpayers pay for the million dollar homes? They have insurance. That is who pays. Then again, we all have insurance and we are all tax payers.....sigh

Fires spotted from space

Barak Obama — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 15:20:09 GMT

I heard Bush set the fire himself since he hates America & CA in particular. Very good point, Jane Doe. Go Dems!

Fires spotted from space

LETS POINT FINGERS TO MAKE IT BETTER — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 15:21:25 GMT

yeah and didnt President Bush also cause those elephants to get electrocuted too? [...]

Fires spotted from space

Sean, Riverside, CA — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 15:23:20 GMT

How in the world is the president responsible for the fires. Look, I don't agree with much of what he does any less than most, but to blame him for a fire that in a large part was started by an arson makes about as much sence as putting a screen door on a submarine. Our fire fighterd are working around the clock and doing the best they damn well can. Federal aid being provided at the exact time the fire broke out was impossible. You never know how destructive a fire is going to be. If you're going to blame anyone, blame that damn arson and mother nature. The winds fueled this fire to the point that NO ONE, not even the almighty federal government, could do anything about it. So quit trying to blame everything on Pres. Bush just cause it's "the cool thing to do".

Fires spotted from space

SGT US ARMY, USA — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 15:34:34 GMT

This message is for JANE DOE FED UP WITH OUR GOVERMENT LETTING THIS COUNTRY DOWN! what would you like the president to do, make a special call to mother nature on his bat phone and respectfully request rain. It is people like you that make me regret serving this fine country. It seems these days all i do is protect brainless drones.

Fires spotted from space

AG, Cedar Rapids, IA — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 15:35:21 GMT

Fire is natural, even if the ignition is not. It is so natural that there are some plants that cannot reproduce without it (see fire germination). It is our obsession with putting these fires out that is causing the problem. In the normal burn cycle fire moves quickly through an area, burning the accumulated brush and then burning itself out. But now that we have interfered there is enough accumulation that the trees themselves start to burn. What was once a small fast fire becomes a firestorm. What we need are off season burn teams to go in when conditions are not as conducive to fire and clear out what in our short sightedness we have allowed to grow. In the end there will be fewer large fire and less loss of life and property.

Fires spotted from space

Doug Patterson, Forest Hill, MD — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 15:47:17 GMT

Blaming President Bush for a wild fire, is like asking todays youths to pay for the sins of their fore fathers 2 century ago. Emotional, but senseless I am sure.

Fires spotted from space

CHERRI COX WHITE CITY OR — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 16:03:20 GMT

YES LETS PUT BLAME WHERE?? ARE YOU READY TO PAY MORE TAXES FOR EQUIPMENT AND MANPOWER. I UNDERSTAND THAT THERE HAD BEEN A LARGE LAY OFF OF FIREFIGHTERS. HMMM
WHO DECIDED THEY DIDNT WANT TO PAY MORE TAXES....

Fires spotted from space

mark — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 16:12:32 GMT

Hey Jane, grow up. I don't like The Idiot but I hardly think he's responsible for fires that occur every year and were whipped up by stronger than usual winds this year. If you blame it all on Bush, you know what gets fixed? Nothing. Sometimes a cigar is just a cigar, Jane. Get over it.

Fires spotted from space

Richard Cason, Tampa, Florida — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 16:16:14 GMT

It is amazing how President Bush has caused all those fires in California.Just think how powerful he is to be able to cause all those fires and at the same time destroy all the peaceful efforts of the Talban and terroists everywhere in the world. Wow--what a man!! Jane Doe has outed him in her comments.GO LIBERALS!!

Fires spotted from space

Mike, Olympia, WA — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 16:18:35 GMT

Hey, we're occupying two foreign countries and we're getting ready to attack Iran. What do you people want? We have to have priorities, and if the US just burns up, so be it.

Fires spotted from space

Cherri Cox White City OR — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 16:24:53 GMT

p. s. Who forced those people to buy expensive homes in that area and who turned the blind eye to those same potential problems of the past. How insensitive of any political arena that allows people the freedom to live where they want without the warning "This area has the potential of wildfires and possible inability to be covered by insurance." Didnt they see the area before hand and observe past fires in that area. When did the Federal Government become our babysitter. What about the State allowing housing in area's that have this type of potential danger?
We always want to blame someone else when things go wrong.

Fires spotted from space

Anonymous, York, Pa. — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 16:35:20 GMT

I'm with Jane Doe and I also agree with what I heard on the radio today. If our military were here then we would have more help. We need to start helping our own and taking care of America first!!!!!!

Fires spotted from space

Nexus — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 16:47:09 GMT

This fire is just nuts. But based on my observation, it was something that was bound to happen. Did you see the embers flying around. Oh boy, anything dry would burn with those. I had an idea about erecting steel fencing materials around the house to catch the ember as it is captured by the wind. On this steel mesh, install water distribution points to keep the house damp.

-ka

Fires spotted from space

lambdarad, Glendale, AZ — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 16:48:54 GMT

Jane, I don't like the President, either. But, we can't really blame him for everything. However, if we had all the money we have spent on the Iraq war, we sure could have bought a lot of firefighting equipment. Some of the blame for our country not being prepared for such emergencies is that we as citizens really don't want to fund such necessities through taxes. Cutting waste and excess in spending is fine, but at some point it begins to cut into needed funding for needed services. Example is the FDA not being able to properly oversee our food and drug supplies. Consequently, recalls galore. Same with kids toys. Just a couple people testing toys for the entire country. We need to increase taxes across the taxpayer spectrum to fund our government so they can do a good job.

Fires spotted from space

John, Lilburn, GA — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 16:50:59 GMT

Ouch...I got up this morning and stubbed my toe...I blame George W Bush....he should have seen that coming and done something to prevent it. Maybe if there were more soldiers in the US instead of Iraq, someone would have been there to warn me of my impending disaster......You people are a joke

Fires spotted from space

Eddie Murphy - Long Beach, CA — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 17:00:50 GMT

What I'm surprised about is how the C-17 hasn't been converted to a firefighting craft. It would be able to carry a fire retardant capacity that would dwarf the C-130. With four military-spec 757-class engines, it should be able to make targeted drops on multiple hotspots per run.

Also, as a California resident, I have to say that, with the exception of the seasonal firefighter layoffs , (Seriously, we had ~2" of rain this year.) the local government response has been very good. There were some excellent lessons learned from the 2003 fires. You don't hear about people having to drive through walls of fire on a burning road to evacuate. Qualcomm Stadium is working well as a evac center, people are donating time and supplies, and state government has tapped nearby resources from other states and coordinated well.

The federal aid is only for people who lack insurance, which, after the 2003 fires, most insurers required heavy fire insurance in higher risk areas.

Fires spotted from space

Kurt, Gray Maine — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 17:01:48 GMT

Jane Doe,
How is this Bush's fault...Local, State and then Federal government is the order of how things get tackled in an emergency. From what I have seen (in California at least) those three segments are doing a bang-up great job...Next are you going to blame Bush for an Earthquake in India? Volcano in the South Pacific? Spotted Lion eating a tourist at a resort? Shark attacks?
I say leave Bush alone...If he was doing something NO ONE wanted him to do on the Hill then he would be out...but they do want him running the war etc. but just want to have plausible deniability...Get Clinton in there and see how long we are at war with a weak leader...

Fires spotted from space

LIBandLOVE — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 17:03:22 GMT

They are not all mansions being burned. THere will be a lot of homeless, uninsured people. Quit the griping about the "mansions."

Fires spotted from space

LB, Coldwater, Ohio — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 17:12:11 GMT

This is natures way of regenerating itself, who is to say what kind of environmental issues will arise if we keep stopping it. Most the those home that burnt down, the owners know they live in a fire zone but yet they still build there. One reporter said this is not the first time some families have had to rebuild due to fires. Wake up people there are safer places to live!

Fires spotted from space

Jim Fawcett, Houston (formerly of San Diego) — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 17:17:35 GMT

When President Bush arrived this morning in San Diego to tour the devastation, one reporter was asking people what one thing they would tell the president about his visit. I'd tell him "Go home," what the hell good is he and where was he when the governor requested funds several years ago for new fire fighting equipment?

Fires spotted from space

Lolita Meyer — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 17:19:24 GMT

Fed up Jane Doe,
Bush is the problem? How about getting a grip? You must be a socialist, everything is the government's fault. How about carrying homeowner's insurance, clearing brush from your property, dissing wood roofs and things like that. My cousin's home near San Diego was the only home standing in his neighborhood in 2003 because he did those things.

Tired of the Dems Blame Game

Fires spotted from space

Arron Harrell, Dallas, TX — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 17:21:38 GMT

When are you people going to realize that the government doesn't care about you, me or any other American citizen in the country? I am originally from California so I certainly feel for all the residents out there that have had to go through this hardship. I read a report this morning saying one of the fires was arsen. Can the government not see that this could be considered terrorism? Absolutely they can but do you think they would tell the American citizens that?...no way! just like 9/11, they knew what was going on and did they bother to tell us? No, they waited until it happened.

Fires spotted from space

Raoul Duke, Austin, Tx. — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 17:25:07 GMT

California burns every year. Wildfires burn off dead undergrowth and return nutrients to the soil allowing for the growth of new trees. Terrible for the families but the country has a great disaster support system. I agree with Jane Doe, the president should have called god right away and demanded he stop these natural disasters.

Fires spotted from space

Joshua Stahle, Anchorage, Alaska — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 17:27:55 GMT

I think that is a great idea. An international, or even a large national force witht he job to only fight fires, would of helped greatly in this situation. I live in Alaska and we have suffered great fires of more than 200,000 acres in the last 10-15 years, with the total acreage burned in the millions. A force designed just to fight fires would greatly reduce nationally, and possible worldwide, the amount of acres consumed by wildfire each year. I think the people of this nation should write to their senators to get a bill going for this. With government commitment and funding, a national firefighting force could be realized in the short future, with up to date technology. The C-17 aircraft is a highly maneuverable military plane that could be outfitted with firefighting technology, along with larger planes for a broader attack.

If the United States would form this branch of service, it could be the first step to an international force.

Fires spotted from space

Jim Talley, Louisville,KY — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 17:33:13 GMT

What is surprising to me is that right wing fundamentalist preachers haven't weighed in yet. You know, like when they called hurricane Katrina the punishment of God. If they start calling these wild fires and droughts an 'act of God,' may God have mercy on their collective souls.

Fires spotted from space

Lissa, San Diego, CA — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 17:36:01 GMT

You can't blame the federal gov't or the president because the aircraft couldn't fly in the 80 mph Santa Ana winds! Even the big Russian planes would have been grounded until the winds calmed down. And even if they could fly in the wind and dense smoke don't you think the wind would blow fire retardent all over the place? The water would have evaporated before it even got close to the ground. They can only do so much. Futhermore, the Federal gov't can only give assistance if the Govenor of the state files with them...which Arnold did immediately. We are living through this right now and are seeing how hard the fire fighters, police, chp, sheriff, the National Guard, Marines and the government are working to save our homes and keep us safe. The public is helping each other, too. We're not sitting crying "Poor me!" People are helping each other, too. Many in the evacuation centers are helping each other, not waiting for someone to cater to them. FEMA and federal, state and local assistance is already set up. Gosh, I really hate it when people try to place blame and point fingers. Things happen and there's not always someone to blame.

Fires spotted from space

larry sebring florida — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 18:02:02 GMT

Wake up people, fires, hurricans, earthquakes in divers places. The world is rebelling against sinful man just as Jesus Christ said it would in the last days. Blame it on global warming or the goverment or what ever, the truth of the matter is until we are willing to repent, humble ourselves and call on his name, its only going to get worse.

Fires spotted from space

DDP, IL — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 18:15:27 GMT

I blame George Bush for Jane Doe.

Fires spotted from space

mihai andrei romania — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 20:03:28 GMT

incredible how we manage to destroy the very place we live in

Fires spotted from space

I know Jane Doe, San Diego, CA — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 20:19:37 GMT

Hey Jane Doe;

You left out several other things about government.

They didn't force people to put fire free zones around their homes.

They allowed idiots to build in areas that are prone to fire, mud slides and stupidity.

And you failed to mention VP Cheney being out there, personally drying every piece of burnable biomass out there just so the homes of California liberals are burned out.

Fires spotted from space

Jane Deo the second DE — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 20:36:37 GMT

the president does have responsibility for the fires because if he does not try to do something about them california will burn into nothing and it will put a bad image to his name! so he should do something so that it looks like he at least tried to or made an attempt to save the state of California! that way he does not look like useless stupid headed idiot who did not even try to save the state and lose all of the people who voted for him! even though it will not affect the next election I do not think he would like to be remembered as the president who let the state of California burn itsself off the map! i also think that it would look better on him for the people he has told that he will do what ever it takes to protect the U.S.A by getting people to vote for him! if he does not at least try all the people who voted for him because they though he was repsonsible enough to handle the US will frown apon him because they thought that he would do something with in his power to help the US! those people who voted for him will be like "i voted for him because I personally thought he could do it but i guess i was wrong about that man!" do you see what I mean about that? he is very responsible for the fires if wants a good image!

Fires spotted from space

upset, frustrated, and down right dissapointed — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 20:39:32 GMT

The thing that bothers me the most is that we get immediate response when million dollar homes are burning, but when we know that a HUGE storm is coming towards New Orleans we wait and wait and wait. Come on, this is the issue. When we talk about the "have-nots" this immediate response is not the treatment they get. However the "Haves" get immediate reasurance that they will get insurance money for their homes. Most of those people in those homes that are burning all supported the GOP, and it is obvious that is why our president reassured them so quickly. The most sick part is that most of those people don't even use those homes, they are more like second homes or third homes. G-d help us.

Fires spotted from space

Cindy, from all over the world and other planets — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 20:46:07 GMT

We need to support one another, and if you do not agree with one another, that is okay. Please do not attack each other. We are all intelligent beings that have to live with one another on this earth. Please do not keep bickering and saying hurtful things to one another. Our mission here is to help one another, and even though I don't agree with Jane, I don't find the need to trash talk her. Let's all write down what is OUR reaction to this disaster, and have respect for one another. Thanks

Fires spotted from space

Rags, St Louis, MO — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 21:00:41 GMT

Jane:

God forbid that the sun should blow up. People like you would only have 8 minutes to figure out how to blame it on George Bush.
Get real. I don't think George, Dick, Rummy, and Haliburton have a magic device to start fires, create hurricanes, cause baldness and inflict erectile dysfunction.

Fires spotted from space

dmarc28 Fergus Falls MN — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 21:13:47 GMT

Hurricanes in the SE, tornadoes in Tornado Alley. Earthquakes and mudsides and wildfires in various places of the US. Blizzards in the north. Wherever you go in this great land of ours, everyone faces adversity in one way or another. How you respond to them shows what a person is really made of. Roll up your sleeves and dig in to help without question if you can, or whine, complain and point fingers. Each of us has had to face ourselves at tough time. What's done is done, now find a way to improve it. ANYONE can make a differene, don't whine because you want "someone else" to take care of it for you.

Fires spotted from space

VoReason — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 22:27:30 GMT

Maybe one day humans will realize we are part of the planet and stop building thier homes in areas that consistently burn. I know that makes to much common sense, im sorry i should have blamed GWBush *rolling eyes*

Fires spotted from space

In the know — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 22:49:45 GMT

I would like to point out that this fire was not a natural occurrence and its actual cause was arson. So all you people who blamed BUSH. Good for you.

Fires spotted from space

Jack Torrance, Riverside,CA — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 22:52:52 GMT

I might not like the way the President is running this country but I think that assigning blame for the forest fires tends to de-legitimize any real issues that truly are his fault.

However, on the other hand, people who insist on building homes in high risk areas don't exactly garner much sympathy from me either. It has nothing to do with being liberal or not. Stupidity doesn't wear a political banner and it exists everywhere in spades.

Fight a war more aggressively? What are you stupid? Let's just carpet bomb them right??? Yeah, let's just kill all the terrorists in the country. Like that won't end up drumming up even more supporters to the terrorist factions which by the way don't even recruit in Iraq. [...]

As for the forest fires, I'm sure that there are many factors involved in this situation. Besides the fact that this is a Natural disaster except for the few instances that were started by arsonists, guess who got the government to allow development in high risk areas. Hmmmm.. I guess it would be big money investors who know that while the scenery is great that it would be easy to buy up high risk areas for cheap and then get politician to look the other way when it came time to build homes so that building codes weren't enforced and they could sell the homes to people that didh't know any better. It's not so much the people with the desire to buy homes in these areas that are to blame as the people who allowed the homes to be built in the first place. Corruption exists and it doesn't care if it's a Democrat or a Republican.

This is just as short sighted as the politicians would like to keep you all. Just like the immigration issue. Who's really to blame? The immigrants actually finding jobs or the employers that continue to hire them. Yeah, let's build a wall instead of enforcing penalties of some kind on businesses. You know why that won't happen? Because businesses contribute more tax dollars than any individual and everyone in the government knows this. Why not make the people pay for a stupid wall instead of making the businesses pay for a proper investigative force that would actually quell the driving force behind the illegal workforce.

Fires spotted from space

Steve Cunningham — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 23:21:04 GMT

What a joke MSNBC.com has become. The 2nd article today about the California wildfires was titled "WHAT ABOUT THE CELEBS?" UN-F-N-BELIVIBLE!!! 1,000,000 people displaced from these fires & all FAUX NEWS II (MSNBC) is worried about are the ones that have so much MONEY that they don't know what to do with it all. I guess this truly shows that our Government & all of the NEWS channels really cares about are those of us that are ULTRA-WEATHLY. Over two years after Katrina & almost no assistance from Washington D.C., then less than 1 week after the fires started and BILLIONS & BILLIONS in aide on its way to Califorina already. Now tell me where our Politicans priorites are? Not with the working class, thats for sure! The biggest threat to our (the working class) way of life isn't Iran, but OUR OWN GOVERNMENT. I think its about time for another REVOLUTION, the HAVES vs the HAVE-NOTS.

Fires spotted from space

Matt Garrity — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 23:52:50 GMT

Oh my GOD you morrons in California and all over the United States that think George W. started the fires and created the Katrina Floods. I am a 911 dispatcher and it is the tax payers that dont want to pay any more taxes. It is the voters that elect the Mayor Nagens and the Govenor of Louisiana. They have the responsability to get the 1st line of defence and warn the people to get out days before not hours before and get the buses to get the people out. STOP waiting on the Federal government to Bail you out because you are to stupid to see a hurricain coming 3 to 5 days in advance or to take steps to reduce your fire threat. I dont like taxes any more than you but if doing so adds more Police, Firefighters, and EMS to help when we need it I'm OK with that. Pull your head out and take charge of your own destiny and stop blaming others. My brother lives in New Orleans and was smart enough to leave town 4 days in advance and had to live seperated from his wife for 1 year due to there work places being damaged. I have cousins that were smart enough to reduce there fire risk and get out of town.

Fires spotted from space

Chris Eldridge, Harrisburg PA — Thu, 25 Oct 2007 23:59:25 GMT

I like the idea of a C-17 firebombing aircraft but what I'd like to see even more is a plane of a similar size and capability that can skim on the water so that it can reload over a lake in seconds. For a C-17 to land at an airport and take on enough water takes far too much time.

Such aircraft can operate in very stong winds but I agree, fire storms can be very hazardous for low flying aircraft. Maybe the stong updraft can be countered by an advanced set of Canard forplanes... We have such great technology and wind tunnel testing that I'd be certain we could create a VERY STABLE aircraft for MOST conditions. Fly by wire and computer controls, for example, have allowed NAVY F-18 Hornets to land in 75 mph cross-winds without the pilot having to fight the gusts. The computer automatically takes control and frantically adjusts all control surfaces to keep the plane stable! Thus I'm sure a combination of computer control (which I'm certain no fire bombing aircraft currently has) and other aerodynamic improvements such as extra control surfaces can give us what we need.

Such tanker aircraft can also be used not only to carry water but also as the main deployment aircraft for the fire fighers themselves... able to deploy anywhere in the world.

Fires spotted from space

Chris E — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 00:03:46 GMT

Alan, one of the main features of my emergency enhanced home designs is a eight-person bunk bed visitor's room. during such massive evacuations which are happening more and more often, we often see people with nowhere to go. When so many people are displaced we can only help if we have the room. In 1972 after the North East was flooded, my grandparents had to stay with my mom and slept for over a month in the living room. Such adlib accommodations may be fine for a short time but it's very disruptive to our home lives and people trying to sleep while others are heading out the door to work.

Fires spotted from space

Matthew A. Wheeler, Granada Hills, CA — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 15:38:21 GMT

I blame the arsonists. They think there is only one fire that was started because of arson... I would believe its more. I understand it is fixation and what not, but c'mon. I have a fixation.... Putting those who started the fires on a firing line....

Fires spotted from space

J Scarbs, Washington DC — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 18:15:01 GMT

At what point did we Americans become so helpless they have to rely on the Federal Gov't for everything? I thought Americans used to be famous for their ingenutiy and resourcefulness. As a country, didn't we used to fear concentration of power? Now we depend on it to solve all our problems? I hope not.
One problem with government is that it makes people lazy, Rick Perez. The fact that FEMA exists is evidence that State governments are not doing what they are supposed to do. Considering voter turn out, that's not surprising. What's your mayor/governer done lately with your tax dollars? Would you recognize your mayor/governer if he/she wasn't a former actor?

Fires spotted from space

Frank Glover Rochester, NY — Fri, 26 Oct 2007 21:00:58 GMT

It occurs to me (and I hesitate to say it out loud, for fear of giving ideas) that if just one or two common-garden lunatics who understood that the 'Perfect Storm' conditions for massive wildfires exists, and started some of them just for sick amusement...will *real* terrorists see the possibilites for doing similar low-budget, low-risk but large scale and almost untraceable harm, in the next dry, hot and windy situation?

During WW II, even Japan tried incendiary attacks with transoceanic balloons (one of them causing the only casualty of the war on the US mainland), and the forest situation today seems much more sensitive than in the '40s.

All this may have exposed a major vulnerability...

Fires spotted from space

Chris Eldridge — Sun, 28 Oct 2007 01:38:09 GMT

Frank,

A person onetime told me of a sci-fi novel where our own kids might one day seek out each and every vulnerablitiy we have... and, the story went, they will find them! It's hard to say who or for what reason but a somewhat similar thing was said by the head of the bulliten of Atomic Scientists... in 20 years Bio terrorist may number in the millions and they won't just be radicals but people with the same mentality of todays computer virus makers... That to me was VERY SCARY when I read it.

Not sure, but I suggest taking more active measure ourselve, as you know... I once talked to a wilderness firefighter and the stories boardered on mystical... storms able to travel at hundreds of miles per hour, creat their own weather patterns, EASILY jump fire lines when green wood explodes sending embers for over a mile... Just literaly surviving this century has got to be given more attention and I'm not just talking about doomsday shows that intermix real problems with threats of black holes and gama-ray bursts. Somehow we've got to get real and seek realistic solutions that can address the most problems at once!

Fires spotted from space

Des Emery, St. Thomas, ON, Canada — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 05:15:16 GMT

For the last several years the weather conditions have been worsening -- droughts intensified where they are a natural condition of the area and caused fires in Greece, Alaska, Europe, California and other places. At the same time floods increased in low-lying plains and around islands all over the world. The icecaps and glaciers around the planet are all melting at an accelerating pace. Humans produce much too much Carbon Dioxide, upsetting the balance of the atmosphere (although more Carbon Dioxide and less Oxygen in the air helps retard the fire hazard which would be well beyond control otherwise). Those immediate results of Global Warming should serve as warning signals to us of worse things to come, much sooner than expected.

Fires spotted from space

Chris Eldridge, Harrisburg PA — Mon, 29 Oct 2007 16:43:05 GMT

Des, if there could be a 20% drop in arctic ice compared to the low just two years prior... who knows? This could be an entirely different planet three to five years from now.