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No.307 オリジナル英文

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Firefighters Report Progress on Massive LA Fire
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Firefighters using bulldozers have been extending a firebreak around the blaze in the mountainous national forest north of Los Angeles.

They have built a fire line around about a quarter of the massive blaze.

Although the fire is spreading, firefighters say they are making progress.

The blaze began one week ago above the hillside suburbs north of the city.

Investigators have ruled out lightning as the cause, which, they say, means that the fire was sparked by humans, either accidentally or through arson.

Officials say the cause is still under investigation.

Scores of homes have been lost, mostly in wilderness canyons.

But Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa says the damage could have been worse, had the fire struck a month or two later, when strong, gusting winds called Santa Anas blow in from the desert.

"We’re very, very fortunate.

Had this been the fall with the Santa Ana winds, this fire could have been much larger and much more serious in terms of loss of life and property.

So first and foremost, we have to thank God and nature, but also our firefighters."

Two firefighters lost their lives near Los Angeles on Sunday as their vehicle plunged off a treacherous mountain road.

On Wednesday, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger thanked firefighters at a Los Angeles base camp for their efforts.

Schwarzenegger says three of the eight fires that are burning in the state have been contained.

Five still pose a danger.

Officials warn that the L.A. fire is still largely out of control and that a drop in humidity could further dry the parched mountain brush and hinder their efforts.

They also caution that winds could pick up at any time to fan the flames.

Several communities remain threatened, but Carlton Joseph of the U.S. Forest Service says firefighters are making progress on the southwest leg of the blaze, as well as other places.

"We don't want to see this fire spread further and take out more forest watershed and impact communities."

Local officials say the loss of underbrush might cause problems later, creating mudslides when winter rains set in.

Mike O'Sullivan, VOA News, Los Angeles
by danueno | 2009-09-09 14:05 | オリジナル英文


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