2006年VOA标准英语-Wildfires Threaten San Antonio, Texas Subu

By Greg Flakus
San Antonio, Texas
06 January 2006

Dry conditions and high winds are making life difficult for firefighters in Texas, where wildfires continue to threaten life and property in various parts of the state. Fires in the hill country north of that city have forced the evacuation of some wealthy suburbs.

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Pushed on by gusts¹ of wind blowing at nearly 50 kilometers per hour, the fires are consuming the dry brush on hillsides and canyons² near San Antonio's northern suburbs. Thursday afternoon officials here ordered the evacuation of one subdivision where dozens of expensive new homes could be threatened by the fast-moving fires. There are also many homes under construction in this area and lots of lumber³ and building materials that could be consumed by fire.

The local fire marshal, Orlando Hernandez, says quick action and the assistance of water-toting Blackhawk helicopters kept the fires from spreading into populated areas.

"We had the Blackhawk helicopters come in and we also had a reconnaissance helicopter come in from Gillespie County to give them directions as to where to drop the water and where it would be most effective," he said.

With authorization⁴ from Governor Rick Perry, two Texas National Guard Blackhawk helicopters operated until sunset at the fire site Thursday. As night fell, ground crews were on their own, using special trucks and bulldozers to contain fires. Firefighters from 17 Texas counties are here helping⁵ to contain the hill country blazes.

Orlando Hernandez, who is Fire Marshal for Bexar County, where San Antonio is located, says citizens need to take extraordinary precautions during this dry, windy time. He says the fire in the hills north of San Antonio should provide a vivid warning.

"You have a small grass fire and the next thing you know it turns into a 120-, 125-acre fire," he said. "Something that would be a normal [small] fire with these winds, low humidity and the lack of rain, this is what we are going to see."
 

Windmill is silhouetted⁶ as grass fires burn near Sterling⁷, Texas, Jan. 1, 2006   
  
This is the first major fire in southern Texas this year, but wild fires in the north of the state have already caused a few deaths and destroyed millions of dollars in property. Two small towns west of Dallas were all but completely destroyed by fires last week and fires also swept over the plains of Oklahoma, at one point threatening the suburbs of Oklahoma City.

Unusually dry weather has contributed to the fire danger. There is a ban in effect throughout Texas on any kind of open fire, whether for recreation or for clearing fields. Officials are also warning against the use of fireworks and the disposal of cigarettes in outdoor areas.

1 gusts   

一阵强风( gust的名词复数 )； （怒、笑等的）爆发； （感情的）迸发； 发作

参考例句：

• Her profuse skirt bosomed out with the gusts. 她的宽大的裙子被风吹得鼓鼓的。
• Turbulence is defined as a series of irregular gusts. 紊流定义为一组无规则的突风。

2 canyons   

n.峡谷( canyon的名词复数 )

参考例句：

• This mountain range has many high peaks and deep canyons. 这条山脉有许多高峰和深谷。 来自辞典例句
• Do you use canyons or do we preserve them all? 是使用峡谷呢还是全封闭保存？ 来自互联网

3 lumber   

n.木材，木料；v.以破旧东西堆满；伐木；笨重移动

参考例句：

• The truck was sent to carry lumber.卡车被派出去运木材。
• They slapped together a cabin out of old lumber.他们利用旧木料草草地盖起了一间小屋。

4 authorization   

n.授权，委任状

参考例句：

• Anglers are required to obtain prior authorization from the park keeper.垂钓者必须事先得到公园管理者的许可。
• You cannot take a day off without authorization.未经批准你不得休假。

5 helping   

n.食物的一份&adj.帮助人的，辅助的

参考例句：

• The poor children regularly pony up for a second helping of my hamburger. 那些可怜的孩子们总是要求我把我的汉堡包再给他们一份。
• By doing this, they may at times be helping to restore competition. 这样一来, 他在某些时候,有助于竞争的加强。

6 silhouetted   

显出轮廓的，显示影像的

参考例句：

• We could see a church silhouetted against the skyline. 我们可以看到一座教堂凸现在天际。
• The stark jagged rocks were silhouetted against the sky. 光秃嶙峋的岩石衬托着天空的背景矗立在那里。

7 sterling   

adj.英币的(纯粹的，货真价实的)；n.英国货币(英镑)

参考例句：

• Could you tell me the current rate for sterling, please?能否请您告诉我现行英国货币的兑换率？
• Sterling has recently been strong,which will help to abate inflationary pressures.英国货币最近非常坚挺，这有助于减轻通胀压力。