DATE=10/31/03

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=CALIFORNIA FIRES (L)

NUMBER=2-309294

BYLINE=MIKE O'SULLIVAN

DATELINE=LOS ANGELES

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: Rain and chilly weather are slowing the spread of fires in Southern California. Wildfires ranging from north of Los Angeles to the Mexican border have killed at least 20 people and destroyed 28 hundred houses. Mike O'Sullivan reports from Los Angeles, the weather is also posing new problems for firefighters.

TEXT: The headline in a San Bernardino newspaper said "Rain to the Rescue," as temperatures in nearby mountain resorts dipped overnight to the freezing point.

Fire chief Ron Collier says the cooler weather, combined with rain and fog, have helped the firefighters.

/// COLLIER ACT ///

But it's also hard on the firefighters because the coldness, once they get wet, then hypothermia sets in and it's difficult. And so we have to watch their work periods. We have to give them coffee, which we have cooking over there now to make sure that they keep a little bit warm. So it adds another element to firefighting that these folks are very capable of doing.

/// END ACT ///

Volunteers in San Bernardino are ferrying warm clothes and supplies to those on the fire lines. Local resident Ron Miltier says firefighters saved his house, and so he's helping.

/// MILTIER ACT ///

They're doing a great job. They're all so young. You wouldn't believe that these guys can even do this job, but they do an excellent job. So we're just letting them know that we really appreciate them.

/// END ACT ///

Fire officials say that, if the weather holds, all of the blazes may be under control within a week or so. (Signed)

NEB/MOS/RH/FC