Geez, they're SO widespread and isolated - I hadn't realised. This is so tragic, not only for the poor families but also for the wildlife.

Best of luck, old son.

>Thanks Tracy. However, that map is only showing the San Diego County fires.
>
>This one shows all 16 fires burning in SoCal:
>http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21436901/
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>>Here's a list of the fires and how they started (if known):
>>
>>http://www.fire.ca.gov/
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>>>>http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/21436901/
>>>>
>>>>The smoke and ash is really bad. In every direction there are plumes of smoke rising.
>>>>
>>>>I spoke with a guy yesteday who's parents lived in Fallbrook. Past tense. If you find Oceanside on the map and zoom in twice, Fallbrook is north-east of Oceanside. They don't show a marker on the map for a fire there, but there's a huge fire there that destroyed the town. May ppl lost all.
>>>>
>>>>I live in Murrieta, due north of Fallbrook. Fire burning there too, although there is a bigger one burning southeast near Pala.
>>>>
>>>>There's also a fire burning due east of Murrieta near the intersection of the 79/371. Again, no marker on the map.
>>>>
>>>>I'll keep everyone posted.
>>>
>>>Maybe a dumb question, but what actually starts these wildfires? Lightnight strikes, cigarette butts, careless burning? I'll assume there were several start points.