Over half a million people have been evacuated from their homes due to massive fires in California this past week. Two people have died from burns in the fire that is believed to be caused by a dry season, hot temperatures and wind. Currently 1,200 homes have been lost with another 6,800 deemed at risk. Over 6,000 firefighters are working against the fire which destroyed over 300,000 acres of land. A state of emergency has been declared and several hundred million dollars of estimated damage is predicted.
Pilot flies into Vancouver condo
The Transportation Safety Board is investigating a fatal plane crash that happened on Fri., Oct. 19. They are uncertain if weather, mechanical failure or human error is responsible for 82-year-old pilot Peter Garrison’s crash. Two individuals in the ninth floor apartment were injured. Witnesses to the accident say the plane was spewing smoke before it hit. Garrison has had two other accidents and Transport Canada is responsible for deciding if pilots can retain their license after an incident.
Rebels attack Turkish forces
A guerrilla attack by Kurdish rebels against Turkish forces left 12 dead and eight missing. Turkish military personnel have been fighting back, claiming up to 34 rebels were killed Sun. Oct. 21. Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip is expecting the U.S. and the Iraqi government to aid in quelling the guerilla activity from the Kurdistan Workers Party or PKK. U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice asked for a few days to respond.