Return to Transcripts main page

CNN Live Sunday

Interview With Audrey Hagen of Department of Forestry

Aired February 10, 2002 - 17:46   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.
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: In Southern California, near Fallbrook, Santa Ana winds are fueling brushfires there. Five homes have already been destroyed, now threatening others. We go live now to Audrey Hagan who is with the Department of Forestry. She joins us by phone right now. Hi there, Audrey. Can you hear me OK?

AUDREY HAGEN, DEPARTMENT OF FORESTRY: Yes, I can.

WHITFIELD: OK, so far five homes have been destroyed. What kind of area has this brushfire swept? How large is this fire?

HAGEN: Well the fire rate now is 1,000 acres. The winds are gusting at 50 miles an hour. These are Santa Ana winds moving the fire in a westerly direction. It's still a threat to numerous structures in the area. There's very heavy brush. We have about 250 firefighters on the scene. I know they are evacuating people. It's voluntary. No injuries have been reported though.

WHITFIELD: At what point do the evacuations become mandatory in a situation like this?

HAGEN: Well, they're really not mandatory. You know they're voluntary.

WHITFIELD: Well, right now they're voluntary.

HAGEN: Right now.

WHITFIELD: But at what point would it become mandatory?

HAGEN: If your home is threatened and they were coming, you know, the flames were coming down to you and the fire department is saying you have to leave, because they will protect life before they protect a structure.

WHITFIELD: So this is a 1,000-acre area where the fire has swept?

HAGEN: Right.

WHITFIELD: How many home, how populated is that area?

HAGEN: I don't know how large, you know, scattered, rural community, very large homes in the area. WHITFIELD: OK, now Fallbrook is near Camp Pendleton, correct?

HAGEN: Right.

WHITFIELD: At what point or would you even involve any military help in trying to battle a blaze like this?

HAGEN: I'm sure they're already helping. They're out there helping us.

WHITFIELD: OK. All right, thanks very much Audrey Hagen for joining us from the Department of Forestry.

HAGEN: OK.

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