A Sampling of Clips for 
October 31, 2003

* UCSD faculty and staff may obtain a copy of an article by e-mailing the University Communications Office

San Diego Was in No Shape for This Fight
Los Angeles Times, Oct. 31-Fire protection in San Diego County, where 16 people died this week in massive blazes, lags significantly behind other areas of the state in terms of resources, coordination and equipment. The deaths and the destruction of more than 1,600 homes have reopened a long-standing debate here over what many officials say is drastic under-funding and poor organization of firefighting efforts. (Quote by Steve Erie, professor of political science at UC San Diego.)
http://www.latimes.com/la-me-sandiego31oct31,1,5118452.story

FEMA Prepares for Damage Claims From Wildfires
Los Angeles Times, Oct. 31-Even as water tanker drops continue over Southern California's burning landscape, government check writers are opening the spigots of aid money that could help determine how quickly and thoroughly the state recovers from the wildfire disaster. (Quote by Steve Erie, a UC San Diego political scientist.)
http://www.latimes.com/news/local/la-me-aid31oct31,1,4581627.story

Red Tape Delayed Help From Getting to Firefighters
USA Today, Oct. 31-Some California residents -- including a congressman whose home burned -- are questioning whether state officials could have controlled the largest and deadliest wildfire during its first days if officials had sought help more quickly. Many feel that state officials should have sought more help from the U.S. military to control the Cedar Fire and two others that have ravaged San Diego County. (Quote by Richard Carson, chairman of the economics department at the University of California-San Diego.)
* No link available online.

A City and its Firemen Mourn their Fallen Comrade
San Francisco Chronicle, Oct. 31-Only a few days ago, three fire crews from Novato headed to Southern California to fight wildland fires, like soldiers going bravely off to war. On Thursday, only two of the crews, seven firefighters led by a captain, came back. They came home to bear hugs and tears from strong men. (Quote by Dr. Daniel Lozano of the UC San Diego Medical Center burn unit.)
http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/chronicle/archive/2003/10/31/MNG072NI891.DTL

Patrick Ledden; UCSD Professor Fostered Campus Dialogue
San Diego Union-Tribune, Oct. 31- Patrick Ledden wasn't the type of professor to hold office hours in a stuffy work space. Mr. Ledden, who taught mathematics at UC San Diego for 36 years and led one of its six undergraduate colleges for 16 years, was passionate about breaking down the barriers between students, faculty and administrators. Mr. Ledden died Tuesday after a long battle with stomach cancer.
http://www.signonsandiego.com/news/uniontrib/fri/metro/news_1m31ledden.html

Fight Fires Locally, Think Environmentally
Los Angeles Times, Oct. 31- The wildfires we are experiencing here in San Diego and L.A. counties have many consequences. We read of the tremendous loss of life and property as well as the dangers to human health. However, this is only the beginning. The destruction of vegetation means loss of life for the millions of wild creatures that inhabit these areas, and loss of their habitat means they will be unable to return for decades, contributing to the already rampant species extinction. (Letter written by Milton Saier Jr., a professor of biology at UC San Diego.)
http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/opinion/la-le-arson31oct31,1,4732714.story

Damp Weather Brings Respite from Wildfires, but Winds Still Threaten
San Jose Mercury News, Oct. 31-Misty clouds swept up and over the blackened San Bernardino Mountains on Thursday, dramatically slowing the wildfires threatening Lake Arrowhead and Big Bear but also bringing stiff winds that could push flames into new areas. Gov. Gray Davis spent the morning visiting injured firefighters at the University of California San Diego Healthcare Center, then surveyed the fire-ravaged areas aboard a Blackhawk Helicopter.
http://www.bayarea.com/mld/mercurynews/news/local/7148715.htm

Science Slowed by Fires
The Scientist, Oct. 31-Poor air quality, rather than flames, has been the primary problem affecting academic research centers and biotechs in the San Diego area, as massive wild fires swept through the region this week, killing 20 people and destroying more than 2600 homes. The University of California at San Diego, the Salk Institute for Biological Studies, the Scripps Research Institute, and several biotechs in the area closed down for 2 to 3 days, starting Monday, due to extremely poor air quality.
http://www.biomedcentral.com/news/20031031/01/

UCSD Connect Names Innovative Product Finalists
San Diego Business Journal, Oct. 27-UCSD Connect's 16th annual Connect Most Innovative New Product finalists can both detect viruses before they create havoc to computer networks, and ferret out potentially lethal ones like the West Nile Virus. Judges had to make some tough choices, finally picking 19 finalists from more than 100 entries, UCSD Connect announced last week.
* No link available online.