The San Diego fires

Bad news from ABC News:

Fires threaten remaining power link to San Diego
Wildfires threatened to shut down the last remaining major power transmission link to San Diego, which would make the Californian county an electricity "island," susceptible to major blackouts, the manager of the state power grid said Wednesday.

If it is cut off from external electricity supplies, San Diego County would have to rely only on the power its own plants can generate, which would greatly increase the chance of major blackouts, said officials from the California Independent System Operator.

Yikes -- these plants were probably designed to provide additional power when needed and not to supply a baseline load for the entire city... Jen was concerned about the San Diego Wild Animal Park -- an amazing facility run by the SD Zoo. Fortunately, they came through with only two animals lost:

As of 3:15 p.m. on Wednesday, October 24, the Wild Animal Park is cleaning up from the fire and wind damage and currently preparing to re-open tomorrow if all goes well. Of the over 3,500 animals that reside at the Park, two animals (a clapper rail and a kiang) were lost due to complications from the fire. More than 600 acres surrounding the Wild Animal Park were burned. These were open buffer zone areas and not exhibit space.

The California condors and other endangered bird species, as well as other animals that had been relocated to the Paul Harter Veterinary Medical Center fire-safe area, have been returned to their home habitats.

The animals remain safe, secure, and have weathered the firestorm well. The Wild Animal Park did lose one of the empty condor breeding facilities to the fire as well as a storage facility containing Festival of Lights event materials. Winds have damaged trees throughout the Park, but again the animals and exhibits have weathered the storm. A core group of employees is on hand to care for the wildlife. Other employees and some contractors are currently assisting with clean up and restoration efforts. As an energy conservation measure, the Wild Animal Park has voluntarily removed itself from the SDG&E power grid and is operating on generators.

I had the occasion to visit this place a few years ago -- if you are ever in Southern California, spend the time to check it out. They are doing incredible work and you get to see the critters in a very natural habitat, not a zoo cage.