Perilous
Times and Climate Change
Raging California wildfire battle intensifies in air, ground
Associated Press, 07.25.11, 10:09 AM EDT
LOS COYOTES INDIAN RESERVATION, Calif. -- Thirty aircraft are
dropping water and retardant in a battle to tame a 12,500-acre
California wildfire crackling through bush and brush on a remote
American Indian reservation in northeast San Diego County.
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection spokesman
Tom Piranio says a Monday morning briefing by fire bosses shows
the blaze is 45 percent contained, or surrounded.
There's no estimate on full containment.
The fire broke out Thursday on the Los Coyotes Indian Reservation
and has moved into Anza-Borrego State Park. A shed was destroyed
but no homes have burned and no homes are threatened.
Fire firefighters have reported minor injuries, mostly heat
exhaustion.
Eight air tankers are dropping fire retardant and 22 helicopters
are bombarding flames with water. More than 1,800 firefighters are
battling on the ground.