San Diego Ablaze
October 23rd, 2007
Currently there are huge wildfires burning where I live, San Diego County, but I am one of the lucky ones and live out of harms way. Right now reports are that an estimated 245,000 acres have burned and 1,200 homes destroyed. Previously small wildfires have popped up since I’ve lived in San Diego, but this one is HUGE! The last big fire was the Cedar Fire back in 2003 and these fires have already matched the damage from that one, without signs of letting up.
Staying Up to Date Online
With everyone in San Diego looking for information on these fires the local news outlets have had their websites slammed with traffic. CBS and KPBS had to offer up stripped down versions of there homepages to handle all the traffic(KPBS has recovered and is back to normal). KPBS has done a great job providing the public with up to date information. They have used Google maps to keep track of burn areas, evacuation areas, evacuation centers, and road closings. They have used twitter to post updates which you can get via text message, instant message or in your rss feed reader. Also, their transmitter on Mt. Miguel is having problems due to the fire but they got help from FM 94.9 and are now broadcasting there. Cheers to KPBS for providing great up to date information for the public during this tough time. Jeers to sdcountyemergency.com and 211sandiego.org for either being down or not providing useful information when they are up.
San Diego, Staying Classy
Reports are that the local support for those who have been displaced from or lost their homes has been tremendous. People and businesses have been dropping off supplies and lending a hand at all the evacuation centers and have definitely helped to easy the burden of the people who are in need. Glad to hear of all the goodwill.
Update: There is a group on flickr for photos of the October 2007 San Diego Wildfires so if you have any photos of your own join the group and submit them or just see the photos that others have posted already.
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