Underneath the layer
of thick smoke now covering all of southern California, thousands
of firefighters are still struggling to contain ten separate blazes.
Thirteen people are now known to have died, at least nine in the
state's biggest fire in San Diego County.
Over a quarter of a million acres
and six hundred and fifty homes have been destroyed in what the
outgoing governor, Gray Davis, is
calling the worst fires in California for a decade. He's asked President
Bush to declare the area a disaster zone
to free up federal funds. The fires
have taken hold because of drought
and an infestation of bark beetle,
which has left millions of dead trees. Emergency
services say it may take until Wednesday bring
the fires under control.
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blazes: very large fires
over quarter of a million acres: more than a hundred
thousand hectares
outgoing governor: the political leader of California
State, who is leaving his job soon.
disaster zone: area with serious problems, which receives
immediate help from central government
free up federal funds: make available
money from US central government
taken hold: a fire which has
taken hold is very difficult to stop
drought: a long period of time
without rain
bark beetle: an insect which
attacks trees
Emergency services: Fire fighters,
police and ambulance are emergency services
bring the fires under control:
stop the fires spreading
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