Debt of gratitude to firefighters

Re “Winds favor the firefighters,” Oct. 25

L.A. Times photographer Wally Skalij’s front-page photograph on Thursday of a firefighter watching a San Diego County backfire is simply breathtaking. I am a local television news producer, and during these wildfires, my station (and others) have brought viewers hours of spectacular video. Yet Skalij demonstrates how powerful a fraction-of-a-second photograph can be and how relevant still photography remains in the age of video. His photograph not only speaks volumes, it is simply stunning, a true work of art. We owe a debt of gratitude to the thousands of firefighters risking their lives to save ours. I also salute journalists such as Skalij who work the front lines to bring us the story.

Scott Gutman

West Hollywood

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On Wednesday, I drove beside five fire engines headed south on the 5 Freeway. They were from Palisades, El Segundo, Redondo Beach, Torrance and Los Angeles. The crew members looked tired and solitary, preparing in their own way for the work ahead. They have a difficult job, and we are fortunate to have them. Even with their red lights off, everyone treated them with respect.

When these fires are out and the crews have made their way home, I hope that the respect continues -- that when we see the red lights and hear the sirens, we can set our own hurry aside, move over and stop so that fire, rescue and law enforcement can do their jobs. It isn’t just the law; it is respect for those who help us.

John L. Peel

Whittier

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Re “Why some averted disaster,” Oct. 24

Helicopter shots of burned homes showed many with sparkling pools that probably had 10,000 to 30,000 gallons of water. Building codes should mandate that homes with pools in fire-prone areas have pumps and generators that can be used by homeowners or firefighters. It seems an obvious resource that is wasted that may have saved many homes.

Isaac Hirschbein

La Mesa, Calif.

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Amid the personal tragedies and environmental devastation, it is easy to forget that the magnitude of destruction lays squarely at the feet of a political class that has never been willing to make the tough decisions. There has been no global planning or restriction set on building and growth despite the fact that the vast majority of the Southern California water supply comes from Northern California, the Colorado River and the Owens Valley. The demands imposed on an essentially fixed supply of water will continue to grow as the local population expands, putting people, property, wildlife and the environment at further risk of devastating natural disasters.

Jeremy Schwieger

Sherman Oaks

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OK, we’re agreed that we can no longer fight 21st century fires with 19th century hoses. Here’s a tip for a wide-awake politician: While we’re still smoldering, propose a National Air Fire Service. Take 40 or 50 military aircraft out of mothballs, retrofit them, station them where they can get to any corner of the U.S. in four hours and train pilots to drop water instead of bombs.

Joseph C. Cavella

Malibu

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Re “1 million fled fires? As the smoke clears, the estimates shrink,” Oct. 25

Even with the number of evacuees from the wildfires reduced from 1 million to 513,000 people, the figure is astonishing. At the date of the establishment of the first Spanish missions, the total aboriginal population of what is now California is estimated to have been 300,000 to 360,000.

Michael D. Mauer

Anthropology instructor

College of the Canyons

Santa Clarita