TOVR wrote on Oct 26, 2007 8:41 AM:Great idea.

Good Plan wrote on Oct 26, 2007 9:51 AM:Jim has a great idea. Mybe we could even enlist county-wide volunteers to input GPS coordinates for each home (during a non-fire period)so that very detailed information could be given. I really like Jim's idea of assigning each TV station a specific geographic area, so that we can turn to a certain station to get the inof we need. From the stations' standpoint, this might actually be better, as it could enable them to still air some commercials.

GFN wrote on Oct 26, 2007 10:58 AM:This is terrific. Too often you have TV news readers out in areas they are not familiar with talking about a subject they know little about. Then you have 5-8 different TV stations all chasing their tails trying to be relavent. Give each one an area; have them train their staff about their area and the subject, and then we can focus on the one that affects us.

ObjectiveObserver wrote on Oct 27, 2007 12:00 AM:Additional point: we were all warned about the dry winds ahead of time. So perhaps instead of mapping out where the next fires could be, how about some "smart" activities to curb fires before they start? For instance ... city wide dynamic weather response activities such as designated large-perimeter residential zone perimeter soaking with recycled water, managed by a well staffed municipal group. In this day and age, preemptive responses are more than possible. Someone with a decent management mind can run this sort of intermittent operation, and handle a myriad of other admin tasks at less critical times. GPS can be used to designate the soak zones based on mapped weather conditions, and this whole thing can be run from an office. Sort of like a remote controlled watering system we have in some homes, just a tad more advanced, longer wires, and with a dynamic feedback system to head off the fire paths. Very doable in contemporary times, ay?

Walt wrote on Oct 27, 2007 9:51 AM:Kudos to the orderly, civil, professional response to the tragic wildfires. There is always room for improvement. But suppose San Diego didn’t have to contend with out of control wildfires in the first place? About 35 years ago the science and engineering company responsible for technical and concept aspects of ballistic missiles, and space systems investigated usefulness of emerging military technology to combat wildfires. A fire in the local mountains had, after four days, reached San Bernardino and destroyed about 200 homes. Satellite and airborne instruments even then could quickly and accurately detect and locate an emerging fire. A massive and accurate response with fire retardant is needed before fire lines get out of hand. Guided missiles could do this under all weather conditions and nighttime, but were expensive. Liquid retardant pellets were invented to improve aerial delivery accuracy and patterns. Command centers and communications needed to be operating and trained before the “battle” begins to coordinate activities and organize the information being collected. Unfortunately, while the ability to put down fires in very early stages was probable in all but the most severe weather, federal leadership was unwilling to approve $100 million or so that would be needed for development. Result was only small improvements were accomplished in aid to airborne infrared detectors, and fast acting command centers. More recently rapid and precise overhead detection has improved, and unmanned remotely controlled “drones” show potential for night and all weather flights needed for the massive rapid response with retardant. With GPS navigation, and accurate terrain mapping, lower altitude more effective retardant delivery is feasible without risk to flight crews. Several $100’s of millions losses have been suffered over the years. An estimated $ trillion in the past few days and four years ago locally. Isn’t it time, in cooperation with military development experts, to upgrade the 35 year old evidence provided by The Aerospace Corp, and invest in the insurance to prevent repeats?

Walt wrote on Oct 27, 2007 5:24 PM:Sorry. In countering wildfires comment, "$ trillion" should be more like a couple $ billions.