Wednesday, October 24, 2007

Report from the Front

V. Give peace, O Lord, in all the world;
R. For only in you can we live in safety.


420,424 acres burned
.
1,155 homes destroyed
.
881,500 people evacuated
.
==========
To donate online through
Episcopal Relief & Development
click here.

1 comment:

RonF said...

I want to know how this happened.

I'm not talking politics here. At least, I don't think I am. I'm trying to figure out how it is that so many people are living in what apparently is a tinder box.

Now, in the Chicago area the issue isn't fires; it's flooding. Various areas that have been determined as being prone to flooding are zoned as flood zones. Some you can't build in at all, some you can only build in if you either create flood relief (e.g., dig a big hole to direct the water into so the rest of the property stays dry) or buy extra flood insurance or both.

So; is this a question of misestimating the risk of fire in the area? Is this a question of ignoring the risk of fire in the area due to greed for taxes on the part of the government officials, profits on the part of the developers and a desire to live in what is doubtless beautiful country on the part of the residents? Is it a question of misestimation of the resources and/or methods necessary to control fire in the area?

It's a great shame that this happened to these people. What is the proper thing to do to try to make sure it doesn't happen again?