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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Battle to control California fire | Battle to control California fire |
| (about 6 hours later) | |
| Firefighters in the US state of California are attempting to control a forest fire, which has consumed more than 9,000 hectares (35 sq miles). | Firefighters in the US state of California are attempting to control a forest fire, which has consumed more than 9,000 hectares (35 sq miles). |
| Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has declared a state of emergency and pledged "every resource" to help those in the affected area to evacuate. | Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has declared a state of emergency and pledged "every resource" to help those in the affected area to evacuate. |
| Four firefighters have died and one is in a critical condition with 90% burns. | Four firefighters have died and one is in a critical condition with 90% burns. |
| A $500,000 reward has been offered for information about the fire, which investigators say was set deliberately. | A $500,000 reward has been offered for information about the fire, which investigators say was set deliberately. |
| Those responsible for starting the fire east of Los Angeles could face murder charges in connection with the deaths of the four firefighters. | Those responsible for starting the fire east of Los Angeles could face murder charges in connection with the deaths of the four firefighters. |
| Governor Schwarzenegger paid tribute to the men who were killed on Thursday, saying Californians were "heartbroken", and ordered flags to be flown at half mast. | Governor Schwarzenegger paid tribute to the men who were killed on Thursday, saying Californians were "heartbroken", and ordered flags to be flown at half mast. |
| He said every resource would be given to finding those responsible for the blaze. | |
| "We've decided that the state will add $100,000 to the reward of finding the arsonists of the Esperanza fire," he told reporters. | |
| The total reward on offer from fire services, government agencies and citizens now stands at $500,000. | |
| Doctors said on Friday they hoped to be able to operate on the injured firefighter, Pablo Cerda, 23, who is said to be in a "poor" condition with burns on 90% of his body. | Doctors said on Friday they hoped to be able to operate on the injured firefighter, Pablo Cerda, 23, who is said to be in a "poor" condition with burns on 90% of his body. |
| No cover | No cover |
| The dead firefighters have been named as Capt Mark Loutzenhiser, 44; Jess McLean, 27; Jason McCay, 27; and Daniel Hoover-Najera, 20. | The dead firefighters have been named as Capt Mark Loutzenhiser, 44; Jess McLean, 27; Jason McCay, 27; and Daniel Hoover-Najera, 20. |
| In pictures: California fire | In pictures: California fire |
| They were killed when flames changed direction so quickly they had no time to take cover. They had been fighting a house fire and were left stranded by a sudden change in the fire's direction. | |
| Nearly 2,000 personnel have been involved in fighting the fire since it broke out at 0112 local time (0812 GMT) on Thursday. | Nearly 2,000 personnel have been involved in fighting the fire since it broke out at 0112 local time (0812 GMT) on Thursday. |
| The flames spread rapidly, fuelled by strong winds, high temperatures and dry conditions. The authorities believe the fire was started deliberately to cause maximum damage. | The flames spread rapidly, fuelled by strong winds, high temperatures and dry conditions. The authorities believe the fire was started deliberately to cause maximum damage. |
| Hundreds of families have been forced to leave their homes. | Hundreds of families have been forced to leave their homes. |
| The weather service has issued a red flag warning for extreme fire danger in the next few days. Officials say it may be next week before the blaze is under control. | The weather service has issued a red flag warning for extreme fire danger in the next few days. Officials say it may be next week before the blaze is under control. |
Are you in Palm Springs and have you been affected by the fires? Please send us your comments and experiences using the form at the below. | Are you in Palm Springs and have you been affected by the fires? Please send us your comments and experiences using the form at the below. |