DATE=10/31/03

Type=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=CALIFORNIA FIRES (S)

NUMBER=2-309295

BYLINE=MIKE O'SULLIVAN

DATELINE=LOS ANGELES

INTERNET=YES

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: Rain, fog and chilly weather are slowing the spread of wildfires in Southern California. The fires have killed at least 20 people and burned 28-hundred houses. Mike O'Sullivan reports from Los Angeles, the weather is also posing some problems for firefighters.

TEXT: Fire Chief Ron Collier says fog and overnight showers have helped his crew near the town of Running Springs in the San Bernardino mountains. But the weather is also a problem, as some firefighters become chilled and subject to hypothermia.

He says, in Running Springs, at least, the fire line is holding.

/// COLLIER ACT ///

We did find one fire that had escaped our control line, and the crews initially went after that, contained the fire, eliminated the threat, and now, we're preparing that for people to come home.

/// END ACT ///

Mountain fires near San Bernardino and others near San Diego are still burning eastward. But fire officials say that, if the weather holds, the fires could be under control within a week or so. (SIGNED)

NEB/MOS/TW/FC