Devastating fires rage on in California
Air attack begins as evacuees pour into shelters
8:35 a.m. Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Update
San Diego County officials say the property damage from this week's wildfires has reached at least $1 billion countywide.
California authorities say at least 1,800 homes have been destroyed by the wildfires burning from North Los Angeles to San Diego.
More than half a million people have been evacuated from their homes, many with just the clothes on their backs. The fires have injured 21 firefighters and at least 24 other people.
Powerful winds are fanning the embers, making the firefighters job difficult, and local officials complain they're not getting enough help.
"What's frustrating to me is that we are not able to deal with it, and we are putting not only property and citizen life at risk, but we are putting firefighters at risk," said Orange County Assemblyman Todd Spitzer.
Specialized C-130 cargo plans are on loan from the military; they can drop 3,000 gallons of water across a quarter of a mile.
California wildfires 2007
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- California fires displace at least 1,500, stretch firefighters thin (Oct. 23, 2007)
- One dead, 14 injured as California braces for more fiery days (Oct. 22, 2007)
"It is an absolute fact had we had more air resources we would have been able to control this fire," Orange County Fire Chief Chip Prather said.
With winds easing up slightly, the air battle has now begun in earnest.
23 huge plans drop retardant and water.
At Qualcomm Stadium in San Diego, the National Guard delivered thousands of cots.
Along with the evacuees, volunteers are pouring in.
And the Del Mar race track also became home to evacuees and their pets.
All they can do now is wait.
"Waiting and wondering mostly what's going to happen next," Evacuee Jerry Boettcher said.
President Bush is promising federal aid to those displaced by the fires. He will tour the devastation Thursday.
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