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RUNNING SPRINGS
Residents 'have no idea what is happening to their property'
The owners had already fled and the two houses perched on a hill were destroyed in minutes. But unscathed stood a Halloween display -- a rosy-cheeked scarecrow presiding over eight smiling pumpkins.
Minutes later, about 10:30 a.m., Bob Poole, a U.S. Forest Service spokesman, drove up. He took in the scene, then reflected on the burning houses in San Bernardino County.
"The people who live in them at this moment have no idea what is happening to their property," he said.
Suddenly a loud boom rocked the forest. Poole didn't flinch.
"Water tank or propane tank," he said without emotion.
--
Louis Sahagun
IRVINE
Complacency -- it too can kill, chief warns firefighters
Chip Prather, chief of the Orange County Fire Authority, watched from the back of the large conference room as his commanders outlined the day's battle plan.
As the briefing wrapped up about 9:30 a.m., Prather spoke, warning his colleagues that fatigue was among the dangers they faced. About 100 people crowded into the room, many nursing coffees, many unshaven, many with bloodshot eyes.
"Don't get complacent," he said. "That's what's going to kill somebody." The firefighters listened in silence.
Prather also told them not to expect much relief from other fire departments.
"What you see," he said, "is what you're going to have." No one reacted to that either.
--
FALLBROOK
Long-overdue break comes -- but they're so tired they can't sleep
Residents 'have no idea what is happening to their property'
The owners had already fled and the two houses perched on a hill were destroyed in minutes. But unscathed stood a Halloween display -- a rosy-cheeked scarecrow presiding over eight smiling pumpkins.
Minutes later, about 10:30 a.m., Bob Poole, a U.S. Forest Service spokesman, drove up. He took in the scene, then reflected on the burning houses in San Bernardino County.
"The people who live in them at this moment have no idea what is happening to their property," he said.
Suddenly a loud boom rocked the forest. Poole didn't flinch.
"Water tank or propane tank," he said without emotion.
--
Louis Sahagun
IRVINE
Complacency -- it too can kill, chief warns firefighters
Chip Prather, chief of the Orange County Fire Authority, watched from the back of the large conference room as his commanders outlined the day's battle plan.
As the briefing wrapped up about 9:30 a.m., Prather spoke, warning his colleagues that fatigue was among the dangers they faced. About 100 people crowded into the room, many nursing coffees, many unshaven, many with bloodshot eyes.
"Don't get complacent," he said. "That's what's going to kill somebody." The firefighters listened in silence.
Prather also told them not to expect much relief from other fire departments.
"What you see," he said, "is what you're going to have." No one reacted to that either.
--
FALLBROOK
Long-overdue break comes -- but they're so tired they can't sleep
L.A. for less than the price of sunblock. 
