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Malibu Fires Raging; Details of Operations in Baghdad; Domestic Violence

Aired October 21, 2007 - 16:00   ET

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

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: It was terrible. The winds were probably 70 miles per hour or better and it was no stopping it when you have that kind of wind behind it.
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN, ANCHOR: Flames fueled by the devil (ph) winds, much of Malibu is burning this afternoon. Hello, everyone, I'm Fredricka Whitfield. Breaking news in the NEWSROOM this Sunday. Flames whipped by the powerful Santa Ana winds, threatening lives and businesses and pricey real estate in southern California today. Hundreds of homes and businesses evacuated in the Malibu Hills and along the scenic pacific coast highway, including Pepperdine University. Three separate brush fires have charred more than 1,000 acres and destroyed several homes. Vince Gonzalez is live in Malibu where it looks like the winds have picked up once again where you are, Vince.

VINCE GONZALEZ, CNN, CORRESPONDENT: That's right, Fredricka. They were calm here for a bit, now we're seeing the gusts again. The area where I'm standing is not, doesn't look as threatening as it did perhaps this morning. But the area of concern for firefighters now is over this ridge here behind me. That is where the fire is coming out of Malibu canyon. It's just west, just east of where the center of Malibu is, the area everyone thinks of when they think of Malibu and Hollywood. We're really not sure what's happening up in there right now, but we've seen several water dropping helicopters moving in and out of there. We've also seen the airplanes up in the air, dropping fire retardant. So they are actively fighting this fire. Well, what was of real concern is the speed of this fire, and how it's been moving very quickly through the canyons, throwing out embers ahead of it, which have set fires to homes and cars that weren't even in the fire zone. Residents we talked to say they were just stunned by how fast this blaze moved.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: He just said it, it came so fast that he couldn't, there was no stopping it. We couldn't get the cars out, really couldn't do anything about it. So it didn't surprise him that the church went down so fast.

How bad was this one?

GONZALEZ: Now the church that went down was the Presbyterian Church here in Malibu. And if we can just pan over here, let me show you, you can see the damage from this fire on the hillside. Where normally these hillsides were brown because we've been in a drought, they're blackened all over the place. So you can see the footprint of the fire where it just burned right through the dry brush right up to Pepperdine University and across these hills and at certain points made its way down to the pacific coast highway and even to the water where some homes were caught on fire probably due to those wind blown embers being thrown far ahead of the main body of the fire. Even though that we are seeing some gusts here, it's still better than it was this morning and there's still hope that firefighters will be able to get some containment lines built. Right now they're saying, at a press conference just a little while ago, they have zero percent containment on this fire. No idea when they will get it contained. No idea when they would get it under control and out. But they're hoping if these winds give them a little bit of a break, they'll be able to build those fire lines and begin to really take the fight to the fire. The problem is at dusk tonight, the Santa Anas are due to kick back up again as they usually do and that means it could be a long night for firefighters, Fredricka.

WHITFIELD: And so Vince, are any other evacuations expected? Yes, they've evacuated that immediate area but might they broaden it because of the potential of these winds and the embers, et cetera?

GONZALEZ: You know, they haven't announced any new evacuations but what they said at a press conference just a short time ago was if you live in Malibu or the surrounding area, have your car packed, have it sitting at the end of your driveway, have your pets ready to go and be ready to evacuate because you just don't know where this fire is going to go, when the winds shift, you can suddenly find a fire breaking out in your neighborhood. Thanks to those embers. And if the main body of the fire comes racing down the canyon, you are going to need to get out of there.

WHITFIELD: Right and the front end of your car pointing toward the end of your driveway so you can that escape as opposed to backing out. Thanks so much, Vince Gonzalez. We'll check back with you again soon.

Incredibly dry Santa Ana winds are fuelling these fires as you saw from Vince's live shot. These winds are simply just carrying these embers a mile, even two in some places and that's where these new fires are being picked up all across. Our Bonnie Schneider is in the weather center. And Bonnie, I know for a couple days now, you and other meteorologists in the weather center have been warning of these Santa Ana winds kicking up over the weekend but I don't think anyone anticipated this.

BONNIE SCHNEIDER, CNN, METEOROLOGIST: Absolutely. This is going to be a historical event in terms of Santa Ana winds because, look at the wind advisories; they stretch well out past California into Nevada. The strongest high wind warnings still remain in the Los Angeles area and down through San Diego where wind gust will continue to be up to 58 miles per hour at least in the immediate future.

Right now what we're seeing in terms of extreme weather is an incredibly different, incredibly strong difference in pressure between high pressure in the great basin, low pressure on the coast and that contrast in pressure is why we're seeing these winds pick up. In typical Santa Ana fashion, they're coming down slope, down the mountain where they heat and compress and come in rigorously. In the northeast, warm and dry strong wind will continue to be a concern, not just for today, but the advisories for wind warnings go straight through Tuesday and we are expecting things to slow down a little bit tonight but intensify once again on Monday. Here's a look at current wind speeds. You can see the sustained winds, that means that winds that are happening right now at the surface, are coming in out of the northeast at 37 miles per hour and 28 miles per hour. They're a little better right along the shoreline, but the strong winds coming down the mountain is the concern because you mentioned the embers and how they're getting ahead of the fire and spreading more fires. That's because the embers become airborne. They jump ahead to dry vegetation, ignite once again with a gust of wind and that's the danger here.

It's very difficult to contain fires when they're going this quickly and when the winds haven't died down a bit. And Fredricka, it's important to note that even when the winds come down 10 miles per hour from what you see here, they're still going to be strong and intense and it's going to be a rough night ahead.

WHITFIELD: Yes, Bonnie. I'm hearing from various people we've talked to throughout the day, we're talking about like three-inch embers that are flying through, you know, the air like missiles and when they land, they just ignite whatever they touch. Extraordinary conditions. Here's a live picture to demonstrate exactly what we mean with this kind of fire and you can see the flames and the smoke kind of billowing and being pushed from one direction to the next because of these unpredictable winds. Bonnie, we'll check back with you. Thanks so much.

In the meantime, we want to check in with the Los Angeles Fire Department because they have quite the undertaking here right at hand. Henry Rodriguez is with us now. And so Mr. Rodriguez, we've talked about zero containment. We heard that from our reporter on the ground, Vince. The conditions are worsening. We're hearing that from Bonnie. So, what are your biggest worries?

CAPT. HENRY RODRIGUEZ, LOS ANGELES FIRE DEPARTMENT (voice-over): Obviously, our main concern is that we don't want anybody to get hurt. Our main concern right now, our objective is to protect life and secondary would be property. As you know, about 23 buildings have been either destroyed or damaged. And obviously, we don't want to lose any more property. So our main concern right now is to maintain that protection in that area where the fire is advancing and do everything possible to protect that. And then also to continue our attack by ground and by air to try to stop this fire.

WHITFIELD: Wow. So more than 1,000 acres now burning there in the Malibu area and you're saying now something like 23 buildings have been damaged? That's extraordinary.

RODRIGUEZ: Yes, about 23 buildings. That's the information we got. So either destroyed or damaged.

WHITFIELD: And we're looking at our pictures here which demonstrate homes that are in the hills and then also we saw at least two homes or at least structures burning right there on the beach. That too seemed to be the situation with the embers flying and making their way right there on the beachside?

RODRIGUEZ: Correct. And when you get a fire like this where you get, its wind driven, the embers they get caught up in the smoke column and they could be, you know looking at the pictures, you can see how big the column is. These embers get into those columns and they can spot ahead of that fire with that wind a quarter mile, a half a mile easily. So any combustible that it meets, that ember is going to catch fire. It's very difficult to tell where those embers are going to land but that's part of that fire behavior and that's what we see in these types of fires, (inaudible) brush fires.

WHITFIELD: So, I know your teams are on the ground; they're in the air as well. We are looking at images now of the 6th winged aircraft. I know you have choppers in the air as well as these super scoopers as they're called. But talk about the obstacles that they are facing because these winds are unpredictable, it's making it very difficult for those in flight, right?

RODRIGUEZ: Right. And absolutely, it's very difficult when you have to work inside the winds. The helicopter pilots obviously put themselves at risk but we have to look at what we're trying to accomplish here. We're trying to stop a fire. So, our helicopter pilots are very good at what they do. In the L.A. area, they're awesome. For me, to put in one word, they're awesome. They work very much coordination with the ground crews. What they're trying to do is deflect the fire, to try to slow its progress. We got the fixed wings that are doing the same things, dropping water. We have another one that's dropping retardant. So we're doing direct attack. We're doing indirect attacks, we're doing, you know, working together as one unit to accomplish the task of putting the fire out.

WHITFIELD: So for the folks who have been evacuated in this immediate area, you know, what to do next is really not their worry. But perhaps there are other folks in a kind of neighboring community who need to hear from you. What do they need to do? What do they need to pay attention to to make sure that they are safe? A lot of folks are just thinking about how do I save my property?

RODRIGUEZ: Right, right. Well, the first thing we don't want is if there is fire or smoke in the area, we know a lot of people want to stay there and try to protect their property. There's many things that can happen. We don't want anybody getting hurt or injured or possibly killed because of a fire. If you're obviously concerned that the fire may be coming towards your direction, this is where you want to be proactive and get all your personal belongings to things that are important to you. You know, documents, medicines, if you have pets, needs for them and have your car ready, pack it up, have it ready to go. So you can get out of there immediately. If you receive an evacuation order from the sheriff's department, that's the time that you need to leave. So we just don't want anybody to get hurt. We're there, we're trained to do this. We have a lot of equipment there and we got more equipment coming. So just do what's safe and be careful and we want to make sure nobody gets, definitely does not get injured. WHTIFIELD: Captain, good point. We know it's a dangerous job for you, so we wish you all the best in the firefighting efforts.

In the meantime, folks you're looking at some of the images of at least one house that was destroyed by this fire. Considered a complete loss. It looks like a castle because it is. It was called the Castle Kashan. It was also on the market. However, that's just kind of just a sidebar but the fact that it is the residence of Lily Lawrence. She's been known in the Malibu area as kind of renowned beauty and a philanthropist as well. And just a little bit earlier, we spoke with one of her guests who had been staying in that house for the past few months, Daniel Collins, and he explained how they didn't even know that the fire was threatening their castle there until firefighters knocked on their door at about 7:00 pacific coast time early this morning. And ushered them out of the main section of that castle, which was already being engulfed in flames, moved them to another structure where they were able to witness the flames, just kind of licking the windows until it was time to evacuate. All together, the good news is that Lily Lawrence and her guest, Daniel Collins, all doing well. Now, they're staying at some friend's house but the house, a total loss, very sad situation. It is a historic home. It's been there for a while. And we're also receiving a lot of i-report images in between all the live shots you're seeing here.

Take a look at these images that we're able to bring you. We believe on the left hand side of the screen, that this is the Pepperdine University. And this campus, of course, being threatened by the fire all day long. They had conducted some evacuations in the dormitories, but they're allowing students as well as faculty to stay on another end of campus where they got food, where they got water. They're wearing masks and all that as well. And we got some i-report images coming from the students there about what exactly they've been experiencing. Josh Let has been monitoring all of that. Josh, we have?

JOSH LEVS, CNN, CORRESPONDENT: Hey there, Fred. You know, this is one of the things that happens in disasters. We start to get reports from the scene, from people who are actually there. It's really easy to do through cnn.com. What these photos do is they put us in the position of someone who is there right now. I want to emphasize that we're showing these to you that these people are in a safe place now. Do not go chasing the fire to send us photos. But here's what we've got, these photos, look at that, look at just a wall of fire filling the sky.

This one comes from Kelly Sayer. She's a Pepperdine undergraduate and she tells us that she took these pictures during that evacuation on campus this morning when the dorms are being evacuated. They're being moved to safe centers on campus. She said she took these on the campus during the evacuation. She left right with her friends and now she's actually off campus staying with some friends over in Ventura. She says the campus atmosphere was pretty calm despite being able to see that from campus. And also what happened there, I can tell you, authorities said they took aerial shots of the campus today. They saw that some buildings could be threatened. That's why the school got the word to move students elsewhere. Let's take a look now at two photos we got from Kevin Park who is also a student of the same school. What he did was, I guess this was before they were brought into the evacuation centers. He walked across the street and up the hill and he was able to take these pictures. You can see the massive smoke that was piling through the area and working its way, in some cases, toward buildings on the campus. Power was knocked out, Fred, to campus this morning. As far as we know, they've been without it for quite a while now.

So he was one of the students who went out grabbed these pictures, took them, sent them to us, is in a safe place now. We are aware of that. We talked to him, we know which is why we're comfortable showing these to you. These photos are going to keep coming in all day. We're also expecting to get some more i-report videos from people with cellphone video cameras. Really easy to do, all you need to do is go to cnn.com, click on i-report, you can't miss it. And you know, we'll have more of these online, Fred. It really brings you in first person to the scene and you can see what some of these people are going through today.

WHITFIELD: Yes and we urge folks when you take these images, don't put your life in jeopardy. But we do appreciate the images that are coming in. Josh, thank you.

LET: You got it.

WHITFIELD: And we're continuing to get pretty amazing video from our affiliates and other pictures too from southern California where the wildfires are still burning. That earlier today. Now that building is decimated completely. The fire is out. We'll have another live report from the danger zone coming up at the bottom of the hour and we'll depart from the fire for a moment because there are other stories in the news we want to cover.

Like this, a car thief, well, he took the bait. He even took a bullet before he got busted. A closer look at the hidden camera video that shows how it all happened.

Plus, U.S. and Iraq relations strained again after a U.S. military raid today in Baghdad's Sadr city. You're in the CNN NEWSROOM.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: We'll update you on the California fires in a moment but first we want to update you on some international news. More worries today that Turkey could send troops into Iraq. Kurdish rebels called the PKK attacked Turkish troops near the border with Iraq today. Turkey says at least 17 of its soldiers were killed and at least ten others are missing. The Turkish military then attacked PKK rebels in southern Turkey. Officials say at least 32 rebels were killed and today the White House declared the U.S., Turkey, and Iraq would stand together to defeat the PKK. Meantime, in the Iraqi capital, Prime Minister Nouri Al Maliki met with General David Petraeus to protest. The Iraqi leader is upset over reported civilian deaths in a raid in Sadr City today. A raid U.S. military officials say killed nearly 50 criminals. CNN's Alessio Vinci is in Baghdad with more on this story. (BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ALESSIO VINCI, CNN, CORRESPONDENT: U.S. military officials described those killed during the raid in Sadr City as "criminals." The target of the operation, according to the U.S. military, was the leader of a cell specializing in the kidnapping of coalition soldiers. Iraqi officials however say American soldiers only killed civilians, all men, disagreeing with the mayor of Sadr City who told Iraqi television a woman and three children are among the dead. The raid took place in the early hours of Sunday when most of the people in this densely populated area of eastern Baghdad were in their homes.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE (through translator): While we were sleeping at night, American troops raided us and U.S. aircraft bombed our homes, he says. We did nothing to them. We don't have weapons. We are a peaceful people.

VINCI: The U.S. military says it has no reports of civilian casualties. At hospitals in the area, they were quickly filled with people in need of medical attention, among them, children. Chanting "there is no god but alah," mourners carry a coffin into a mini van while many more were on their way to the cemetery. The U.S. military says soldiers came under sustained fire from machine guns and rocket repel grenades. The units called in air support, they say in self- defense.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

VINCI (on-screen): U.S. military officials say the leader of the kidnapping cell that was the target of the operation was neither apprehended nor killed. Alessio Vinci, CNN, Baghdad.

WHITFIELD: And in this country, gas prices are on the rise again. And it's not the only price hike threatening your wallet these days. Coming up, the economic forecast that could have Americans bundled up and pinching pennies this winter. And next, the ultimate sacrifice and the highest honor for a navy seal who served in Afghanistan.

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

WHITFIELD: And zero containment on what is turning out to be a thousand-acre wildfire burning Malibu, California, threatening a number of structures, thus far about 24 homes and business had been damaged or destroyed. We'll continue to update you on this story in a moment.

Meantime, President Bush tomorrow awarding the medal of honor, the nation's highest combat medal, to the family of Lieutenant Michael Murphy. He was a navy seal killed in a massive firefight in Afghanistan. Pentagon correspondent Barbara Starr talked to Murphy's family and the only navy seal to survive the firefight known as operation red wing.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

BARBARA STARR, CNN, PENTAGON CORRSPONDENT: June, 2005. In the 10,000 foot mountain peaks of Afghanistan's Hindu Kush, Lieutenant Michael Murphy led his four-men navy seal team on a mission they knew could turn deadly.

DAN MURPHY, MICHAEL MURPHY'S FATHER: He was an incredible person. Honest, kind, caring. Probably the antithesis of what you would consider a warrior.

MAUREEN MURPHY, MICHAEL MURPHY'S MOTHER: He was like very protective of the people and he always stuck up for the underdog.

STARR: Dan and Maureen Murphy and Michael's brother, John, now more than two years later, are receiving Michael's medal of honor, the nation's highest award for valor in combat. 29-year-old Michael and two teammates would be killed.

MARCUS LUTTRELL, PETTY OFFICER, 2ND CLASS: He was my best friend. He's a good man. Everybody loved him.

STARR: Petty officer Marcus Luttrell was the only one on the team to make it out. The seals were searching for a wanted terrorist but they were spotted. A massive firefight broke out. It was four seals against 40 insurgents. Michael kept the men together.

LUTTRELL: He was in a horrible position. He left himself open so he can move back and forth to each individual guy. We were hurting bad. We were out of ammo.

STARR: All four men were shot. Then Michael walked into the open to try to radio for help, exposing himself to enemy fire.

LUTTRELL: I looked back up and he took two rounds to the back. And he sat back up, hung up the phone and finished the transmission, hanged up the phone, and then he flanked left again and that was the last time I saw him

STARR: Barbara Starr, CNN, Pentagon.

WHITFIELD: And straight ahead, some consider India's monkeys a public nuisance. Well, they might have also become a deadly nuisance for one man. Details straight ahead in the CNN NEWSROOM.

Plus, wildfires tearing through southern California. Hundreds of acres scorched and several homes were destroyed. We're back live in Malibu coming up next. And in a few hours, the republican presidential candidates face off in the sunshine state. How key will Florida be for the GOP nominees?

(COMMERCIAL BREAK)

FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN HOST, THE NEWSROOM: Back now to our top story. Frightening flames forcing people to flee their homes in southern California. Santa Ana winds up to 70 miles an hour are sending embers shooting in erratic paths. Hundreds of homes and buildings are at risk, including the Pepperdine University. Several houses and a church have already been destroyed. Vince Gonzales is in Malibu where the wind has been kicking up sporadically all day long and at least behind you now it looks like most of the thicker, more dense smoke has cleared out, or am I wrong?

VINCE GONZALES, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well it's cleared out around us. This morning, this was definitely the center of attention from firefighters. We just stood in the middle of a black wall cloud this morning. Now it's a little to the south of us. You can see over those ridges there, now it looks like what most people think of as a wildfire, just a big billowing cloud and that might be a bit of good news because when the cloud can go straight up in the air, it means that the winds maybe aren't blowing as hard.

It is blowing somewhat towards us and up on those peaks up there just a little while ago the winds shifted and we can see very large flame lengths burning their way up the sides of those little peaks there. That means that the fire is moving perhaps on the other side of those hills. It's still not in the main part of Malibu that people think of when they think Hollywood but it is burning very close.

Also, we've been talking about that house that looks like a castle. It is now on fire again. Just as we started this live shot, black smoke has started to pour out of the castle. You can see the orange flicker of flames. We've been watching that for the last half hour. We saw white smoke and there's some black smoke coming out. That is obviously on fire again and I bet we'll see some fire crews be dispatched to get there. I saw some smoke out of the corner of the house. But we had a clear shot of it. Just some white smoke now and we did see some flames as well.

So probably there's going to be some fire crews if they are not already there moving there very quickly. So this fire is definitely not over. That home, it was the result most likely of an ember being thrown forward. And this is the city of Malibu, the most densely populated part of Malibu. So officials said at a press conference not long ago if you live in this area, have your car packed and have it facing out of your driveway ready to go, have your pets ready, all your important papers ready and be ready to move if this fire comes down out of the mountains.

WHITFIELD: Yes, something tells me this threat being taken so seriously by people that they're going to heed those kinds of warnings.

Vince Gonzales, thank you so much.

We mentioned that Pepperdine University was one of the places impacted by this fire. Well, they did have some evacuations of the dorms but it didn't necessarily mean that all the faculty and students had to actually leave the campus. So Jane Lee is a junior at Pepperdine University, she is on the phone with us now. Jane were you among those who stayed on campus but had access to the food, water, et cetera?

JANE LEE, JUNIOR, PEPPERDINE UNIVERSITY (via telephone): Yes, I was. Most of the students are here. We've been in the cafeteria and we've been given a chance to go to the library now and then the athletic building.

WHITFIELD: So what has it been like? We're looking at one of the latest images that has come in. While the fire has not affected any of the structures on campus, it has impacted the brush.

LEE: It was definitely scary earlier in the morning. A lot of the students were just notified by banging on their door, trying to get them out as soon as possible. And so we were rushed into the cafeteria, not knowing what's going on. And all we see was like this -- earlier this morning at 8:00 a.m., we saw orange smoke outside the cafeteria windows and we kept hearing that such and such building was burning down. And it was just --

WHITFIELD: As far as you know, no buildings have been burnt down, right?

LEE: Right. No buildings have been burned down. But that's been the frustrating part is we haven't really been getting many updates here on campus.

WHITFIELD: What do you think you're going to do? Do you feel comfortable staying there tonight? I don't know if the campus plans to bring cots or something like that into the building where you are right now, if you can't return to your dorms. What do you want to do?

LEE: Yeah, it's a little confusing right now because we're not being updated and we're not sure if we'll be let go. I know some students have gone off campus and they're staying at friends down the street on PCH. But I don't feel like anywhere is safe. And I feel like Pepperdine out of all the places is the safest.

WHITFIELD: Are you from the area and if not, then where would you go?

LEE: I'm not from the area. I'm from northern California. But right now I do plan on staying on campus and if we do have to evacuate, I would just go to a friend's house down the street. But as I said, none of that is really safe, but there aren't many options for students and I know they're having a difficult time with this. They're doing a pretty good job because there are so many students and this is one of their only options.

WHITFIELD: The threat of fire has always been a real, you know, ominous threat for the folks there in the Malibu Hills. They know it could happen at any time. But for you, you've been there I guess about three years. Have you ever felt in danger from any kind of wildfires there? Is this a first-time experience for you?

LEE: Yeah, this is a first-time experience. The president of the university was talking to us earlier today and he said a fire like this hasn't happened since '96. So we really haven't had many big fires. We've had several fires, especially the one back in January right across the street. But none that have been just surrounding the campus.

WHITFIELD: And you've been using that mask that they've distributed? Have you felt like the air is, you know, that difficult to breathe in?

LEE: Yeah, it's horrible. The smoke was just coming through the cafeteria and every student was wearing one. I'm looking outside now and even the students outside have to wear it because the smoke is so bad.

WHITFIELD: Jane Lee thanks so much, junior at Pepperdine University. We wish you all the best and hopefully this fire doesn't touch your campus any further than it has already.

LEE: Right. Thank you so much.

WHITFIELD: Time for some politics now. Showtime in Florida for GOP presidential candidates. The Republican candidates debate again tonight in Orlando. Eight candidates are still in the running, including former Tennessee Senator Fred Thompson, former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney and former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani. CNN congressional correspondent Dana Bash is live in Orlando with a preview. So Dana, what is at stake tonight?

DANA BASH, CNN CONGRESSIONAL CORRESPONDENT: A lot is at stake. Any time the Republican candidates get together and share a stage, because the field is so incredibly unsettled, a lot is at stake, especially right now, 2 1/2 months before the first votes are cast in Iowa. It's really become a lot more pointed and a lot more personal between the candidates.

The last time they debated about two weeks ago, and it seems to be centers on the question of who is most conservative, who is seen as the most conservative in the field. And that is something we're likely to hear a lot about tonight during this debate. Probably going to see the candidates mix it up a lot more as they have been over the last several weeks from the stump. As you can probably see and hear, you remember Florida.

The state is known for its thunderstorms and heat but it really hasn't been know very much for presidential politics. That has changed this year Fredricka because of the fact that Florida moved up its primary to the end of January. There's one candidate that wants to bank on that, and that is Rudy Giuliani. The first vote also be cast in Iowa and New Hampshire and South Carolina. Particularly Iowa and South Carolina, social conservatives get out there. That is not something that Rudy Giuliani is known for. In fact social conservatives are really down on him because he's somebody who is for abortion rights. But he is trying to bank on Florida. Listen to what he said on speaking to Republicans here in Florida last night.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

FUDY GIULIANI, (R) PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATE: Whenever I come to Florida, I feel like I'm at home. Sometimes I see more people from New York in Florida than I do in New York. So I feel like it's my second home and I've been here a lot. And I have -- I have something I need to ask you. You've got to promise me this, OK? Please promise? In 2000, you saved us from Al Gore. [ applause ] We're going to need you in 2008 to save us from Hillary Clinton! [ applause ]

(END VIDEO CLIP)

BASH: Now you heard there Rudy Giuliani talking about Hillary Clinton. That is a name we're likely to hear over and over again because Republicans now think they are vying for the mantle who can best beat her. One last thing before we let you take this, Fredricka, Fred Thompson, he's on the stage for the second time with his fellow Republican candidates tonight. He has not wowed the conservative base or the Republican base at all very much lately.

In fact, as the barbs have become more personal, he's not really been involved at all. So it's going to be interesting to see how much he's a factor in tonight debate because he really hasn't been very much since he got into the race.

Fredricka.

WHITFIELD: All right. Dana Bash in a very rainy Orlando. Thanks so much. Stay dry.

And still on politics, just on a state level, a clear win in the Louisiana governor's race. Bobby Jindal netted 53 percent of the vote. His next closest competitor got only 18 percent of the vote. So need for a runoff.

The son of immigrants Jindal is the first Indian American ever elected as a U.S. Governor. When he's sworn in January, Jindal will also be the youngest governor in the country at just 36. I'll be talking to him in our next hour.

This affects everybody, energy prices going up, home prices going down. Economic jitters on Wall Street and Main Street. Many are feeling it in their 401(k) s as well. Some economists are even whispering the r word. Earlier, I talked about the economy with CNN's senior business correspondent Ali Velshi.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: Oil prices, heating and gas, all expected to go up over $90 a barrel. Please say it's not going higher than this.

ALI VELSHI, CNN SENIOR BUISNESS CORRESPONDENT: I wish I could, Fred. The momentum has been toward the upside and that causes two very specific problems. One is that it's going to move into gas prices. We've seen a five or six-cent increase per gallon on average in the last week. You can expect that to go up 10 to 15 cents. So an average above $3 a gallon and its getting cold around in country, particularly in the northeast where they heat with oil. So you are now seeing families who are stuck with higher gas bills and higher oil bills, guess what right around the time they're supposed to be starting holiday shopping. And it is all right now about the American consumer, do they spend or do they borrow more money to spend or do they put the brakes on because they are worried about the future?

WHITFIELD: Also seeing hard times, the housing market and I understand it's going to get worse before it gets better.

VELSHI: Double whammy, right, you got your gas prices, you got your energy prices and then your house isn't worth as much. The interest rates are ticking up a little bit, there are still people stuck in those variable rate mortgages. Who have seen them adjust? 3 Now hopefully we've seen the worst of those adjustments of the sub prime mortgage holders. But what we haven't seen the worst of is the housing market. This past week we got numbers that said the number of homes being built and the number of permits being issued for new homes is at a 14-year low. We know this isn't going to end within the next 12 months. So you have lower home values, higher mortgages, higher gas prices, higher oil prices. That spells for some people the possibility, Fred, the possibility of a recession.

WHITFIELD: And then on Wall Street, the numbers did not look good on Friday, closing with over 300 points down the Dow, How does Monday look?

VELSHI: Well 366 points on the Dow on Friday. More than 500 points for the entire week. I think you're going to see that follow through into Monday. And we're 1 1/2 weeks away from the Fed interest rate decision on October 31, on Halloween. Are they going to cut by a quarter percent and give Americans a discount on their debt? If so, you will see the stock market move up. If they don't we're going to see some more problems. So this next week and a half worth of trading will be iffy. Take a look at your 401(k) and see if you are losing or gaining what the Dow and the S&P are. Four percent is what it lost this week, Fred that is no sneezing matter that is a bit of an issue. So I think you're going to see another choppy week ahead of us.

WHITFIELD: Really tough times for everybody. Everyone is being impacted in some way, shape or form. Ali Velshi thanks so much.

A pleasure cruise, a tragic end. Coming up in THE NEWSROOM a desperate search for survivors in the New York Harbor.

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WHITFIELD: In southern California, we've been telling you about a pretty severe Malibu wildfire charring a thousand acres and damaging and destroying many homes, businesses and cars. Well, now, new pictures right here, travel even further south, on the freeway and you'll get to Potrero, California. They too are dealing with a wildfire now we understand a 100 acres burning and something like 100 homes in the area, the people who live in those 100 homes all being asked to evacuate. We'll update you on the source of that fire in the San Diego area in Potrero, California when we get it.

Those are the latest pictures there.

Meantime, in New York, a dramatic offshore rescue late last night. Two survivors were plucked from the water near the mouth of New York Harbor after a barge ran over their 24-foot boat. Two other people died in the collision. New York police divers and helicopters joined the Coast Guard search. One survivor startled his rescuer.

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DET. FRANCIS VITALE, NEW YORK POLICE DIVER: A hand came down and grabbed me on my shoulder, which I certainly wasn't expecting under water in the dark. Hand moved up and tried to pull me up on my head. At that point I realized obviously we got a live individual in here. Put my head up and realized that there was in fact an air pocket that was trapped inside the boat itself. Got up into the air pocket, came face to face with the gentleman. He was clearly very relieved to see me, but he was obviously in a state of panic.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: That is extraordinary. The other survivor was pulled out of the water just minutes after the accident by a passing party boat.

A car thief caught red handed and on tape. The Bellevue, Washington Police Department released this video taken in March from inside a car that's rigged to actually catch thieves. He didn't know that. The suspect pumps his fist in victory as he drives away thinking he got away. But his mood soon changes. A police officer opens fire at the car when he realizes the chase is getting too dangerous.

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GREG GANNIS, BELLEVUE POLICE DEPT: Right there. You can see a bullet bounce off the windshield. He's been grazed. Obviously aware now that things have gone horribly wrong.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: OK, I give up. The suspect was not seriously hurt. The car was shut down remotely and the man, well, you know the ending. He was arrested. He pleaded guilty to theft and assault and is now awaiting sentencing.

An Indian man's death is being blamed on wild monkeys. The deputy mayor of New Delhi was walking on his terrace when the monkeys reportedly attacked him. He fell and died a short time later from head injuries. The monkeys often harass humans for food and are considered a nuisance by many. But Hindu's believe monkeys are sacred. So parts of New Delhi are over run by those monkeys.

Coming up next in the CNN NEWSROOM, a unique way to prevent death from domestic violence. Presented by predicaments.

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WHITFIELD: A Maryland woman is hospitalized after being stabbed repeatedly during a brutal weekend attack. The suspect, the woman's own husband. The attack comes as Maryland police try to identify women at high risk for domestic violence before they become victims.

Here now is CNN's Gary Nurenberg.

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GARY NURENBERG, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice over): Police believe the woman who was stabbed repeatedly with a steak knife at this home in Chesapeake Beach, Maryland Saturday was attacked by her husband.

RICHARD BLACKBURN, NEIGHBOR: She was laid out right there. I started talking to her, telling her to keep breathing.

NURENBERG: Police say it is exactly the kind of case they've been trying to prevent by having officers use this questionnaire when they get a domestic violence call.

DAVE SARGENT, COORD. LETHALITY ASSESSMETN PROG: It seeks to identify and assess victims of domestic violence who are at the greatest risk of being killed.

NURENBERG: Police ask 11 questions, have they ever used a weapon, has he or she threatened to kill you or your children. They call the victim a "screen in."

LT. BOBBY JONES, INVESTIGATIVE TEAM: Based on the way they respond to the screening, a determination is made whether or not they're screened in as being in high danger.

SARGENT: Would the objective be to get them out of harm's way?

JONES: Immediately if necessary and then to get them into domestic violence services.

NURENBERG: Johne Hopkins University professor Jacquelyn Campbell helped device the form and says immediate referral to counselors is key.

JACQUELYN CAMPBELL, PROF. JOHNE HOPKINS UNIVERSITY: We know that was their best defense. That was the best way for them to stay safe.

NURENBERG: In 2005 Yvette Cade's former husband walked into her Maryland office, doused her with gasoline and set her on fire, 65 percent of her body was burned. Outside her church on Sunday, she said the screening form is a good idea.

YVETTE CADE, DOMESTIC VIOKENCE VICTIM: Just someone saying I care and this is what we can do for you and we will be there for you to see you through the trauma. It will help the victims tremendously.

NURENBERG: And there are early signs the program is working.

SARGENT: This last year, which is from July of 2006 to June of 2007, we had less than 50 domestic fatalities, the lowest it's been since 1991.

NURENBERG: Gary Nuremberg, CNN, Port Washington, Maryland.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

WHITFIELD: And the lights go out in San Francisco, it was done on purpose with a purpose. That story straight ahead in THE NEWSROOM.

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WHITFIELD: Think of it as less as of a blackout and more of a green in. San Francisco went dark for about an hour last night in a campaign to encourage energy conservation. The lights were out at landmarks like city hall and the Golden Gate Bridge like you seen right there. But all the street lights stayed on so the drivers and pedestrians could see. The power company passed out energy efficient light bulbs as well.

The next hour of the CNN NEWSROOM starts right now.

Wildfires in southern California's Malibu Hills fuelled by dry Santa Ana winds, they're spreading. Dangerous flying embers putting hundreds of homes and businesses, including Pepperdine University at risk. Frightened residents are forced to flee with just the clothes on their back and the blaze has already destroyed several homes and a church and other businesses. Vince Gonzales is in Malibu with the latest where we've seen the wind direction change, seen how the smoke has changed color and its intensity has changed as well. What's the latest?

GONZALES: You know it's going to be like this through the day here, Fredricka. The wind direction also change, crews will be moving from place to place trying to stay ahead of this fire. Right now they're in these small little areas around Pepperdine University. Crews are working up this road here where spot fires were burning all morning long. So far we haven't seen recurrence of that. And the gusts have dropped off.

But as we look to the right here along the hillside below Pepperdine, I think you can see the black marks on the hillside. This was all brown, maybe a little green; we've had a bad drought.

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