No suicide mission for Malibu firefighters

At the incident command post by Malibu Civic Center, Los Angeles County Fire Inspector Edward Osorio said about 200 firefighters were leaving the Canyon fire, with some heading to San Diego. The 4,400-acre blaze was burning up to Piuma Road through Carbon Canyon Bowl, steep territory that is unsafe for firefighters.

"We can't get in there in a canyon. We'd have to hike down, and you're basically sending firefighters on a suicide mission," Osorio said.

A plane is dropping fire retardant on the eastern fire line, from Rambla Pacifico to Las Flores Canyon Road, he said.

"The fire's actually laid down pretty good," Osorio said. "There is no active fire activity. Some hot spots are smoking."

The western fire line is along Winter Canyon Road, and the northern line is at Piuma Road, Osorio said.

Some 700 homes have been evacuated of 2,100 people, Osorio said. The fire's cause is under investigation, Osorio said.

-- Tami Abdollah

Comments

[Bonnie in Florida]

The difference between New Orleans Katrina and the California Fires seems to be in the attitudes of the people. Californians want to help each other and themselves. The people in New Orleans were waiting for the government to do everything for them and took advantage of each other with the immediate stealing, looting and destruction of facilites that were offered as refuge. God bless those that help themselves and have respect for those trying to help them and concern and compassion for their neighbors. Californians seem to be weathering this tragedy with much more dignity...Bless them all.