"The Worst is Behind Us" (Fires, SanDiego)

[Triana]

Help from above

The toll: 500,000 evacuated; 300,000 acres charred; 1,300 buildings destroyed;
The front lines: Air fleet grows; ground reinforcements arrive; weather eases
By Jeff McDonald
and Anne Krueger
UNION-TRIBUNE STAFF WRITERS

October 24, 2007

Reinforcements swooped into San Diego County by air and ground yesterday, infusing new energy into battles against a deadly firestorm that has compelled the largest evacuation in state history.

More-favorable winds permitted giant air tankers to enter the fray for the first time. They joined a fleet of helicopters in fighting four major wildfires that continued to burn out of control.

Additional crews from several states joined the effort in San Diego County. By sunset, more than 3,200 firefighters were in action.

Ron Lane, operations director for the county Office of Emergency Services, welcomed the fresh resources after days of strained staffing. “The worst is behind us,” he said.

MORE...

http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/metro/20071024-9999-1n24mainfire.html

MAP:

http://www.signonsandiego.com/firemap/