Originally published by the Voice of America (www.voanews.com).
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October 28, 2007

Firefighters Make Progress Against California Blazes
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http://enews.voanews.com/t?ctl=1A0ADE2:A6F02AD83191E16055021E16FF9965F49574F7DCC14957C0 Governor
Schwarzenegger warns arsonists they will be captured and prosecuted
Firefighters in Southern California are getting help from cooler
weather as they battle stubborn wildfires, which have blackened
200,000 hectares and destroyed at least 1,800 homes. Mike O'Sullivan
reports, authorities say arsonists are behind at least two fires, and
California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has issued them a warning.







Accompanied by state and local officials, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger,
center, walks to a news conference at the Santiago Fire Incident
Command Post at Irvine Regional ParkAuthorities say the blaze in
Orange County, south of Los Angeles, and a small fire near San Diego,
were both set by arsonists. The governor says authorities will find
them. "We will hunt down the people that were responsible for that,
and we will arrest them and prosecute them to the full extent of the
law," he said.

Authorities are investigating hundreds of leads, including a report of
a white pickup truck seen in the area where the Orange County fire
started. That blaze destroyed 14 homes.

Five people have been detained on suspicion of arson, but authorities
say none has been linked to any of the large fires. One man in Los
Angeles pleaded not guilty Friday to a single count of arson.

The number of deaths that resulted directly from the fires now stands
at seven. Authorities say four people who were found dead Thursday
near the U.S.-Mexico border were killed by fire. They are thought to
have entered the United States illegally through a remote canyon.

Cooler temperatures and higher humidity have helped firefighters gain
the upper hand against a dozen blazes, which are now contained. Nine
fires were not contained by mid-Saturday, and thousands of homes
remain threatened.

Many homeowners have returned to their communities to assess the
damage and file claims with private insurers or seek emergency aid
from the federal or state governments. Mr. Schwarzenegger announced
additional grants of up to $10,000 for those affected by the fires,
and warned of fraud artists who may try to cheat homeowners. "If
anyone tries to exploit this tragedy, I will make sure that the state
of California will do anything possible that you will pay for that for
the rest of your life," he said.

A smoky haze hangs over much of southern California, and residents in
many places were urged to stay indoors because of high pollution
levels.


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