Discussion Questions

Aired October 28, 2003

Rapidly spreading wildfires continue to wreak havoc on large parts of southern California.

1. What area of California is being hit by wildfires? What is the status of these fires? What factors are contributing to their spread?

*

*

*

2. How have the fires impacted local residents and businesses? How have firefighters responded to the blaze? What action has Governor Grey Davis taken to stop the fires? According to investigators, how did at least one of the fires start? In your opinion, what should be the legal consequences for this action?

*

*

*

*

*

Related Links

CNN.com: California wildfires wreak havoc (http://www.cnn.com/2003/US/West/10/27/california.wildfire/index.html)

National Interagency Fire Center (http://www.nifc.gov/)

Firewise (http://www.firewise.org/)

NOAA Satellites and Information (http://www.osei.noaa.gov/)

Southern California Wildfire Hazard Center (http://research.aero.org/SoCalWHC/fire_danger.html)

Holt, Rinehart and Winston: Map of California (http://go.hrw.com/atlas/norm_htm/califrna.htm)

Keywords

wildfire, California, evacuation, Santa Ana winds, firefighters, investigators