It is easy to find out something regarding the wildfires in Southern California right now.  You can't view a newscast without hearing something.  Often, they focuse on the personal stories of those who are experiencing loss from the fire, or fighting heroically against it.  With that sort of coverage, there is much that will be missed.

I find that the running blog entries at the progressive California political blog Calitics gives insight into a much wider range of problems and actions.   Here are a couple of examples.

Blood donations are greatly needed. The San Diego Blood Bank will hold blood drives Tuesday at two wildfire emergency evacuation sites, Qualcomm Stadium and the Del Mar Fairgrounds, officials said. Both drives will begin at 10 a.m. and run until 3 p.m

 I have not heard of the call for blood from any major media source.  Yet, it is an obvious and immediate need. 

UPDATE (4:11pm Robert) The SoCal Metropolitan Water District says there has been a record 652 million gallon spike in water demand, as pumps are working overtime to provide firefighters with water to fight the flames. Further evidence of the effects of climate change on the landscape...

This is one more example of the fact that everything is connected if we only stop to think about it.  The last year was the dryest on record in the LA area.  This year ha La Nina conditions and also  promises to be dry, which might be good in that heavy rains would turn those hillsides into rivers of mud. 

We need to see real action and also symbolic gestures.  If you are able, give blood and tell the staff that you were motivated by the need in San Diego.   As for symbolic actions, someone has suggested that we all plant a tree as step one in the process to mitigate the global warming that exacerbates the drought and the fires.  Then, let the world know just why you are doing that. 

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