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CNN Live Today

10 Wildfires Raging in Southern California

Aired October 27, 2003 - 11:06   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.


DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: We'll move back down to the San Diego area to Julian. This is where one of the fires started. Gail Salkenthal with the American Red Cross is on the phone with us.
Gayle, you can talk to us about services you're providing to some of the evacuees.

GAYLE SALKENTHAL, AMERICAN RED CROSS: Yes, the American Red Cross in San Diego County currently has seven shelters open. In fact yesterday, some of our shelters had to be moved out of harm's way, which is the case at the shelter I'm at now in the town of Julian. We were originally in the community of Ramona and had to get folks out of the shelter there and move to a little higher ground literally up in the mountains to make sure they were safe and well taken care of.

KAGAN: Yes, I have to say I was surprised to hear you were in Julian. And for folks not familiar with the area, this is east of the beaches that San Diego is so famous for. Beautiful country unto itself, but also I think kind of dangerous fire country.

SALKENTHAL: And at that point last night when we did have to move, one of the issues we're dealing with is the road system being impaired. And this was really our only route out of that area up to Julian, which so far, so good, is in very good shape. They were hit badly by wildfire last summer.

We have had overnight about 1,300 people register in our shelters. But a lot of people do not come in and register, they pitch tents on lawns, they stay out in their cars; particularly if they have animals, they tend to stay outside with their animals.

KAGAN: That's been a problem in the past. As great a job as the Red Cross does, you're not allowed to bring animals into the shelter, is that right?

SALKENTHAL: That's correct. You have a lot of people with allergies, and health is our concern. You have people who are fearful. And our pets are very stressed too by this, and they behave in ways we don't always expect. And our job is to meet basic human needs for a safe place, roof over your head, food, basic health care, crisis counseling. We in San Diego County have absolutely fantastic animal rescue and animal humane services. They have trained rescue volunteers who have swung into action. They're a fantastic resource. And San Diego's also very heavily populated horse community. And the folks in the equestrian community really come out and offer their help to their fellow horse owners. KAGAN: Well, let's hope we're soon coming to the end of she's needs. And you're in the kind of business you like to be put out of business.

SALKENTHAL: You bet, very true. We want to be prepared, well prepared for anything, and teach people how to be prepared, and then absolutely never have to put it into place. But we know when you least expect it, you do have to put those plans into place.

KAGAN: And I think nothing really speaks of just how dangerous and quick-changing this situation is in San Diego County, when the evacuation center has to evacuate and move on, that shows just how fluid the situation is. That's Gayle Salkenthal with the American Red Cross, joining us from Julian. Once again, these are the mountains in the eastern part of San Diego.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com







Aired October 27, 2003 - 11:06   ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
DARYN KAGAN, CNN ANCHOR: We'll move back down to the San Diego area to Julian. This is where one of the fires started. Gail Salkenthal with the American Red Cross is on the phone with us.
Gayle, you can talk to us about services you're providing to some of the evacuees.

GAYLE SALKENTHAL, AMERICAN RED CROSS: Yes, the American Red Cross in San Diego County currently has seven shelters open. In fact yesterday, some of our shelters had to be moved out of harm's way, which is the case at the shelter I'm at now in the town of Julian. We were originally in the community of Ramona and had to get folks out of the shelter there and move to a little higher ground literally up in the mountains to make sure they were safe and well taken care of.

KAGAN: Yes, I have to say I was surprised to hear you were in Julian. And for folks not familiar with the area, this is east of the beaches that San Diego is so famous for. Beautiful country unto itself, but also I think kind of dangerous fire country.

SALKENTHAL: And at that point last night when we did have to move, one of the issues we're dealing with is the road system being impaired. And this was really our only route out of that area up to Julian, which so far, so good, is in very good shape. They were hit badly by wildfire last summer.

We have had overnight about 1,300 people register in our shelters. But a lot of people do not come in and register, they pitch tents on lawns, they stay out in their cars; particularly if they have animals, they tend to stay outside with their animals.

KAGAN: That's been a problem in the past. As great a job as the Red Cross does, you're not allowed to bring animals into the shelter, is that right?

SALKENTHAL: That's correct. You have a lot of people with allergies, and health is our concern. You have people who are fearful. And our pets are very stressed too by this, and they behave in ways we don't always expect. And our job is to meet basic human needs for a safe place, roof over your head, food, basic health care, crisis counseling. We in San Diego County have absolutely fantastic animal rescue and animal humane services. They have trained rescue volunteers who have swung into action. They're a fantastic resource. And San Diego's also very heavily populated horse community. And the folks in the equestrian community really come out and offer their help to their fellow horse owners. KAGAN: Well, let's hope we're soon coming to the end of she's needs. And you're in the kind of business you like to be put out of business.

SALKENTHAL: You bet, very true. We want to be prepared, well prepared for anything, and teach people how to be prepared, and then absolutely never have to put it into place. But we know when you least expect it, you do have to put those plans into place.

KAGAN: And I think nothing really speaks of just how dangerous and quick-changing this situation is in San Diego County, when the evacuation center has to evacuate and move on, that shows just how fluid the situation is. That's Gayle Salkenthal with the American Red Cross, joining us from Julian. Once again, these are the mountains in the eastern part of San Diego.

TO ORDER A VIDEO OF THIS TRANSCRIPT, PLEASE CALL 800-CNN-NEWS OR USE OUR SECURE ONLINE ORDER FORM LOCATED AT www.fdch.com