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LOS ANGELES, Oct 31 (AFP) Oct 31, 2007 California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger on Wednesday ordered
firefighters to prepare for renewed wildfires ahead of powerful
flame-fuelling gusts forecast for next weekend.
Only three of the 23 fires that ravaged California remain active after
calm winds and cooler weather allowed firefighters to tame flames which
left seven people dead, destroyed 2,000 homes and led to 640,000
evacuations. But with high temperatures and strong Santa Ana winds forecast for the
end of the week, Schwarzenegger has ordered state agencies to
pre-emptively deploy staff and equipment to potential high-risk areas. "It's very important that we remain prepared and alert while there are
still fires burning in southern California," Schwarzenegger said. "This plan helps ensure that resources are strategically placed and
standing ready, prepared for whatever the weekend will bring." Air tankers, tactical aircraft, helicopters and strike firefighting
teams fanning out across the state in preparation, a statement said. Officials meanwhile said Wednesday the deadliest of the California
blazes, the 90,440 Harris Fire in southern San Diego County which
claimed the lives of five people, was 100 percent contained. In a separate development, San Diego County officials said all
evacuation orders across the district had been lifted. The causes of the majority of last week's fires are under investigation
although it has emerged that an inferno in northern Los Angeles County
was started by a young boy playing with a box of matches. The Buckweed fire which began in the early afternoon of Sunday, October
21, was first blamed on downed power lines, but the investigation later
turned into one of suspected arson. By Monday "detectives identified a male juvenile as the suspect," the
Sheriff's Department said in a statement late Tuesday. "After talking with the suspect, he admitted to playing with matches and
accidentally starting the fire. The boy was released to his parents." The case was presented to the Los Angeles County District Attorney's
office "for further action," the statement read.
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