(October 27, 2006)—Authorities vowed Friday to find those responsible for an out-of-control wildfire in California that killed four firefighters and left a fifth in a desperate battle to survive.
The injured firefighter is burned over 95 percent of his body and a doctor said Friday the prognosis was not good.
Meanwhile there’s concern that high winds fanning the flames could blow the fire toward more heavily populated areas near Palm Springs.
The 38-square-mile fire is the deadliest wildfire in the US in five years.
Authorities are offering a $300,000 reward for information leading to the capture of those who set the fire.
President Bush telephoned the deputy regional forester Friday to offer his condolences for the deaths of the four firefighters.
Press Secretary Tony Snow reports Mr. Bush told the official that the victims' families are in his prayers and those of the first lady.
Snow says the first couple is also praying for those who've been injured as well as the firefighters continuing to battle the blaze.
There were more evacuations Friday around the fire.
Riverside County fire spokesman Don Camp says members of a small community south of Banning were told to leave their homes.
Camp said firefighters are facing winds of 20 to 25 miles per hour as they trudge across steep, rocky terrain to battle the flames.
