Michigan woman found dead in wildfire
From the Milan News-Leader in Milan, Michigan:
The 76-year-old London Township woman found dead Wednesday afternoon from a fire in a wooded area was trying to get away when she was trapped by a fence. The Monroe County Sheriff’s Office has identified her as Anna Eliva Pinto, a resident of 10460 Darling Road. Investigators believe she was burning brush when the fire grew out of control and she was unable to escape it.
Firefighters worked several hours to extinguish the fire that affected an area of 5-7 acres. Milan Fire Chief Robert Stevens said fire suppression efforts were well underway when a Milan firefighter found the deceased woman by a 6-foot fence that separates properties in the eastern side of the area.
Chief Deputy John Plath with the sheriff’s office said investigators believe Pinto was trying to walk or run to the east and was stopped by the fence. She was overcome by smoke and flames, he said. She suffered some burns but the cause of death has not yet been determined, he said. He said it is possible smoke inhalation or other medical issues could have contributed to her death.
Animation of satellite images of smoke from the Springs Fire northwest of Los Angeles
The Cooperative Institute for Meteorological Satellite Studies put together an animation using still images from a GOES weather satellite which shows the evolution of smoke from the Springs Fire which has burned about 28,000 acres. Check it out at this Discover Magazine web site… then scroll down until you see the “Click to Play” video.
More information about the Springs Fire at Wildfire Today.
Springs Fire narrated slide show
A narrated slide show of photographs of the Springs Fire is very much worth two minutes of your time. It features photos taken by Los Angeles Times photographers.
There was a similar incident near Flagstaff Arizona yesterday afternoon where and 80 year old man was caught in a fence trying to get away from controlled burn gone bad. Better outcome in that one. He was rescued by a firefighter.
Thank God.