NPR: Officials Expect Significant Damage from Wildfires

Officials Expect Significant Damage from Wildfires

Flames engulf a house during a massive brush fire today in Poway, Calif.

Sandy Huffaker/Getty Images

The San Diego-area fires of 2003 were bad. But the fires of 2007 might be worse.

Dozens of buildings have been burned and at least one person has been killed in the wildfires in Southern California. But The San Diego Union-Tribune reports that the worst may be yet to come — the damage could hit record totals in the next 48 hours. "This fire will probably be the worst this county has ever seen — worse than the Cedar [2003] fire," Sheriff Bill Kolender said.

Earlier today there were still seven fires burning in San Diego County. Four had been put out overnight. CNN reports that more than 250,000 people in the county have been evacuated so far.

If you want more information about the fires:
-A Google map shows the locations of the fires, along with updates on road closings and evacuation centers in the area.
-The Union Tribune has a breaking news blog and a map.
-The Firefighter Blog offers video and webcam views of the blaze.
-Flickr has a series of photos taken by people in the San Diego area.

4:51 PM ET | 10-22-2007 | permalink

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