Life on the Fire Lines: A Special Report

Beginning today, The Times is expanding its Metro Section pages for a three-part examination of Southern California’s days of trial by brush fire.

* The Firefighters. Today, the focus is on herculean efforts of the foot soldiers in the war against wind-whipped flame and smoke. Heroes to most of the people they encounter and even counselors to some, the firefighters recount their experiences and tell what draws them to their risky jobs.

* The Recovery. On Saturday, a self-help guide for victims also serves as a package of prevention plans for everyone who might someday suffer loss through fire, earthquake or other natural disaster. It provides the how-to on everything from re-creating important personal records to rebuilding, from reseeding to obtaining loans and tax relief. Volunteers can learn how to help.

* Eyewitness. On Sunday, participants tell what it was like to witness grief, loss, worry, heroics and, sometimes, triumph. They include the owner of a threatened restaurant that has long been a Topanga Canyon institution, the radio news helicopter pilot who spent hours hovering over smoke and flame in Malibu and the Altadena jogger who raced to save his home but lost his barn.