A view of the 2009 LA County Station Fire
Driving on the I-210 on the way home from West Covina last Saturday allowed us a view of the billow of smoke from the now 140,000 acre station fire blazing in the mountains. The largest blaze in LA County history.
By Sunday morning, the smoke was even more horrible. The smell of burning leaves hits you as soon as you stepped out of the house and you could barely see your hand in front of you because of the thick smoke. Fortunately the smoke cleared before noon but I can only imagine how difficult it is for people with respiratory problems.
nope, those aren't clouds
Even more disturbing than the effect on people’s health, massive destruction ($37 million and 156,000 acres at last count) and people’s lives this fire has wrought in its path is the thought that the fire was set ablaze intentionally.
In fact in yesterday’s news from KTLA, Gov. Schwarzenegger has offered $100K for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the arsonist.
If this intentional mayhem causes us to again cast doubt on the depravity of human nature, we can find comfort in the stark contrast that can be seen with the great work the firefighters and forestry service personnel have been doing throughout this ordeal.
They have been at it for more than two weeks now just for this blaze alone. Doubtless, many of them are exhausted but are still ploughing ahead with the mission at hand.
They are indeed worthy to be hailed as heroes, sacrificing their own personal safety to keep us safe.
Here’s a salute to the brave men and women and hoping for the best in the next few days.
More pictures and maps available at LA Times.
