Originally aired November 8, 2007.
Tom Fudge: When the press covers big stories like the local wildfires of last month, the stories can become a frequent recitation of numbers.
350,000. That's the number of acres burned in San Diego County by the wildfires two weeks ago. Nine. That's the number of people who died in the fires. 1,500. That's the number of homes destroyed in the fires.
As always, there are real people behind those numbers. The real people who were burned out of their homes have some immediate needs to attend to. The first is finding another place to live. As time goes on, they'll have to replace valuable possessions. They'll have to negotiate with their insurance companies and government agencies. Ultimately, they'll have to rebuild or buy or rent elsewhere.
For FEMA assistance, call (800) 621-FEMA (3362).
Guests
- Linda Laird, llama farmer in Ramona who lost her home in the Witch Fire.
- Mary Cader, Rancho Bernardo resident who lost her home during the fires.
- Carey Riccitelli, public information officer at the Fallbrook Local Assistance Center and works for the San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency .
- William Vogel, senior official for Federal Emergency Management Agency responsible for recovery activities in San Diego County.
