November 16, 2008

7:45 AM CHINO HILLS FIRE: Aggressive use of backfires

Much of the smoke you might be seeing toward Chino Hills is the result of backfires by firefighters to burn off brush and eliminate wildfire fuel.

CHINO HILLS FIRE: Calm winds help firefighters

Improving weather conditions, including calmer winds, are helping firefighters in Chino Hills battle the approaching fires. Winds are now blowing west, away from homes.

November 10, 2008

Home invasions: Urban legends or true facts?

Rumors have been spreading like wildfire of increases in home invasions as the economy heads south. One reader wondered why we hadn't reported an uptick in robberies in Rancho Cucamonga, when emails to that effect supposedly are burning up cyberspace.
Officially, there appears to be little truth to the rumors. Police agencies tell us they haven't noticed an increase.
Skeptics would say there's a cover-up in play to protect certain cities from bad publicity. I don't buy that anymore than I believed Sarah Palin was actually her son's grandmother.
What I do believe is that crimes of desperation are a very real possibility in times like this, and that vigilance, not hysteria, is the best defense.