VOA常速英语2007-Firefighters Make Progress Against California Bl

By Mike O'Sullivan
Los Angeles
28 October 2007

Firefighters in Southern California are getting help from cooler weather as they battle stubborn wildfires, which have blackened 200,000 hectares and destroyed at least 1,800 homes. Mike O'Sullivan reports, authorities say arsonists² are behind at least two fires, and California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger has issued them a warning.

Authorities say the blaze in Orange County, south of Los Angeles, and a small fire near San Diego, were both set by arsonists. The governor says authorities will find them. "We will hunt down the people that were responsible for that, and we will arrest them and prosecute³ them to the full extent of the law," he said.

Authorities are investigating hundreds of leads, including a report of a white pickup⁴ truck seen in the area where the Orange County fire started. That blaze destroyed 14 homes.

Five people have been detained on suspicion of arson¹, but authorities say none has been linked to any of the large fires. One man in Los Angeles pleaded not guilty Friday to a single count of arson.

The number of deaths that resulted directly from the fires now stands at seven. Authorities say four people who were found dead Thursday near the U.S.-Mexico border were killed by fire. They are thought to have entered the United States illegally through a remote canyon⁵.

Cooler temperatures and higher humidity have helped firefighters gain the upper hand against a dozen blazes, which are now contained. Nine fires were not contained by mid-Saturday, and thousands of homes remain threatened.

Many homeowners have returned to their communities to assess the damage and file claims with private insurers or seek emergency aid from the federal or state governments. Mr. Schwarzenegger announced additional grants of up to $10,000 for those affected⁶ by the fires, and warned of fraud artists who may try to cheat homeowners. "If anyone tries to exploit this tragedy, I will make sure that the state of California will do anything possible that you will pay for that for the rest of your life," he said.

A smoky haze⁷ hangs over much of southern California, and residents in many places were urged to stay indoors because of high pollution levels.

1 arson   

n.纵火，放火

参考例句：

• He was serving a ten spot for arson.他因纵火罪在服十年徒刑。
• He was arraigned on a charge of arson.他因被指控犯纵火罪而被传讯。

2 arsonists   

n.纵火犯( arsonist的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• The factory was destroyed in a fire started by arsonists. 工厂在纵火犯引起的火灾中烧毀了。 来自《简明英汉词典》
• Australian Attorney-General Robert McClelland said suspected arsonists could face murder charges. 澳大利亚总检察长罗伯特麦克莱兰说，怀疑纵火犯可能面临谋杀指控。 来自互联网

3 prosecute   

vt.告发；进行；vi.告发，起诉，作检察官

参考例句：

• I am trying my best to prosecute my duties.我正在尽力履行我的职责。
• Is there enough evidence to prosecute?有没有起诉的足够证据？

4 pickup   

n.拾起，获得

参考例句：

• I would love to trade this car for a pickup truck.我愿意用这辆汽车换一辆小型轻便卡车。||The luck guy is a choice pickup for the girls.那位幸运的男孩是女孩子们想勾搭上的人。

5 canyon   

n.峡谷，溪谷

参考例句：

• The Grand Canyon in the USA is 1900 metres deep.美国的大峡谷1900米深。
• The canyon is famous for producing echoes.这个峡谷以回声而闻名。

6 affected   

adj.不自然的，假装的

参考例句：

• She showed an affected interest in our subject.她假装对我们的课题感到兴趣。
• His manners are affected.他的态度不自然。

7 haze   

n.霾，烟雾；懵懂，迷糊；vi.(over)变模糊

参考例句：

• I couldn't see her through the haze of smoke.在烟雾弥漫中，我看不见她。
• He often lives in a haze of whisky.他常常是在威士忌的懵懂醉意中度过的。