prevent wildfires. for example, last year, 99-year-old electrical tower owned by the company pg&e ignited a fire that killed people. the measures haven t stopped wildfires, by the way, which recently are elected across the state from one country to san francisco, napa, brentwood on the west side of l.a. the fire response is so unreliable that many rich californians this is a metaphor for the whole state now higher private fire departments to protect their homes. if you are not rich, it can get really ugly, r forced evacuation of thousands of people. they cut power to the area, and
living without electricity. the states electrical utility companies have failed to maintain their infrastructure that s an understatement. now having to shut down power to prevent wildfires. for example, last year, 99-year-old electrical tower owned by the company pg andy ignited a fire that killed people. supposed to be run and made it, but they never did come of the measures haven t stopped wildfires, by the way, which recently are elected across the state from one country to san francisco, napa, brentwood oon the west side of l.a. the fire response is so unreliable that many rich californians this is a metaphor for the whole state now higher private fire departments to protect their homes. if you are not rich, it can get really ugly, really fast. two weeks ago, it did. the fire north of los angeles burned more than 4500 acres and forced evacuation of thousands
and iran s top diplomat will lead the talks. despite the looming budget crisis in washington, fema is promising that relief money for colorado s flood victims will not stop flowing. vice president biden got a firsthand look at the widespread damage yesterday. it is spread across nearly 2,000 square miles, nearly 2,000 homes were damaged or destroyed along with more than 200 miles of highway and 50 bridges. once all these cameras are gone, fema and the red cross are still going to be here until we make you whole. it s really hard. it s clearly very devastating. and i m overwhelmed. 79-year-old woman whose house was swept away is the eighth victim of the flooding there. at least six people remain unaccounted for. still, 16,000 people have applied for fema relief. now to southern california. firefighters are battling a fast-moving wildfire about 20 miles east of l.a. the fire has burned at least 50
as abc s nick watt reports, the danger is growing. reporter: the angeles national forest was packed with thousand of campers and hikers enjoying the holiday weekend. we just saw the smoke next to us and we started packing. reporter: the fire began 2:15 sunday, cause unknown. within hours, nearly 4,000 acres were ablaze. vacationers evacuated, and hundreds of firefighters drafted in from across the west. the fire is moving very, very fasted. we can see it coming down this hillside. look at the terrain. talking 80-degree inclines which makes it difficult for firefighters to get up to the flames and fight this fire. air drops are the best and in most places the only option. it is uphill, steep, rugged terrain. we re trying to get aircraft on this fire to slow its progress. reporter: the fire is moving towards populated areas. right now only 5% contained. what happens next depends largely on the wind. nick watt, abc news, the angeles
visiting for the holiday weekend. right now water-dropping helicopters and air tankers are their best weapons. the line in the sand is the road. until it gets to the road we are working with aircraft. the fire has grown to more than 4,000 acres. about six square miles. fire officials say it is 5% contained. the new school year begins this morning in chicago. but more than 26,000 teachers and staff members in the nation s third largest school district could soon be on strike. teachers rallied yesterday on labor day, show of solidarity to their ongoing contract standoff. threatening to strike next monday, not only over pay but also over benefits and job security which would leave the city scrambling to deal with 400,000 students. it is not going to be easy for any of us, teachers, faculty, staff. but you know that is what a union is. we have to fight for what is right. now, if there is a strike, it would be the first teachers walkout in chicago in 25