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tv   Our World  BBC News  January 16, 2021 4:30am-5:00am GMT

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joe biden's given details of his plan to sharply increase the number of americans being immunised against covid—19 in the face of a sustained rise in cases and deaths. the president—elect, who takes office on wednesday, said the priority was to inoculate everyone over the age of 65. the number of people around the world who have died with covid—19 has now passed the two million mark. that's more than the combined total of deaths for hiv, malaria, flu and cholera in the past year. after the united states, brazil and india are the worst affected countries. police in guatemala have arrested 600 migrants accused of entering the country illegally. they're part of a group of about 3000 people who set off from honduras hoping to walk several thousand kilometres to the united states. most say they are seeking a better life in the us.
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ever since the new variant of covid emerged in the uk there've been questions about its impact on children and whether they are more likely get it or help spread it. 0ur science correspondent rebecca morelle reports. children have been one of the pandemic�*s biggest puzzles, with the young less likely to get the virus than adults, but does the arrival of the new variant change this, and is it affecting children more? initial data was analysed for all ages, and something stood out. this red bar for ten to 19—year—olds suggested the new variant was particularly infectious for this group, compared with the old one, in blue. but this was during november's lockdown, when much was closed apart from schools, and this may explain that bump. the latest evidence shows the new variant is 50% more infectious, but not especially for children. it's just that it's better at infecting everyone gci’oss every age group.
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is the new variant different for younger and older children? nurseries are still open in england and wales, and scientists think the youngest are less likely to catch the variant and pass it on than older kids. we know that, in all variants, children less than ten were less susceptible but, you know, susceptibility and transmissibility increased by age. especially over the age of 15, transmission dynamics are almost similar to adults. does the new variant make kids more ill? the latest evidence suggests that it isn't causing more severe disease in the young. children can need hospital treatment, but they still make up a tiny proportion of cases overall. we are seeing slightly more children because there are more people being infected, but we are not seeing children being disproportionately infected and certainly not seeing wards full of children with covid. with classrooms empty, schools are part of the uk lockdown, but this isn't about risks
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to children, it's about controlling the spread of the virus. the science of the variant is fast—moving, and researchers will continue to monitor its impact on the young. rebecca morelle, bbc news. now on bbc news, our world tells the extraordinary story of the holidaymakers who found themselves trapped by an almighty wildfire at mammoth pools in california's sierra national forest. a warning — this programme contains images some viewers may find upsetting. 0n the labour day holiday weekend in september 2020
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california was struck by its largest single fire on record. the creek fire. as tornadoes of fire ripped through the sierra national forest, hundreds of holidaymakers were stranded at mammoth pool reservoir. using footage shot at the scene, this is the story of the campers who were left with no way out.
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we are gearing up for a scorching hot labour day weekend is a strong ridge of high pressure sets up. km}! weekend is a strong ridge of high pressure sets up. km]! the weather that _ high pressure sets up. km]! the weather that weekend _ high pressure sets up. km]! the weather that weekend was - weather that weekend was absolutely beautiful. we could not have asked _ absolutely beautiful. we could not have asked for _ absolutely beautiful. we could not have asked for a _ absolutely beautiful. we could not have asked for a nice - not have asked for a nice weekend. the atmosphere was, it was popping, i guess you could say, if that is the right world. there were a lot of people. it was busy. music, food, barbecue smells in the air, blue skies. it was the vacation anyone would have asked for. vacation anyone would have asked for-— vacation anyone would have asked for. our favourite spot is the creek _ asked for. our favourite spot is the creek that _ asked for. our favourite spot is the creek that runs - asked for. our favourite spot| is the creek that runs through the campground. there is a rope swing _ the campground. there is a rope swing that — the campground. there is a rope swing that the children have learned _ swing that the children have learned to love to swing off of during — learned to love to swing off of during the summer. liz learned to love to swing off of during the summer.— learned to love to swing off of during the summer. liz drove to mammoth _
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during the summer. liz drove to mammoth pool— during the summer. liz drove to mammoth pool with _ during the summer. liz drove to mammoth poolwith her- during the summer. liz drove to i mammoth poolwith her daughters mammoth pool with her daughters emmeline and dixie aged nine and 11. , . , emmeline and dixie aged nine and 11. , .,, ., , and 11. this was our fifth trip u . and 11. this was our fifth trip up there _ and 11. this was our fifth trip up there summer. _ and 11. this was our fifth trip up there summer. as - and 11. this was our fifth trip up there summer. as a - and 11. this was our fifth trip - up there summer. as a teacher, i said _ up there summer. as a teacher, i said let's — up there summer. as a teacher, i said let's go explore, let see — i said let's go explore, let see nature. 0ur i said let's go explore, let see nature. our first i said let's go explore, let see nature. 0urfirst trip i said let's go explore, let see nature. our first trip we caught— see nature. our first trip we caught frogs. and we went out chasing — caught frogs. and we went out chasing frogs and lizards and wildlife _ chasing frogs and lizards and wildlife. , . ., , wildlife. they were camping with their — wildlife. they were camping with their cousin, _ wildlife. they were camping with their cousin, chris. - wildlife. they were camping with their cousin, chris. we | with their cousin, chris. we were all— with their cousin, chris. we were all having _ with their cousin, chris. we were all having a _ with their cousin, chris. - were all having a good time, just enjoying ourselves. mammoth pool, yes, is a very special place. i have been going up there since i was about seven days old. and i am 49 now, so i have been going up there for a very long time. it was fairly calm, not a lot going on. weather was mild. and rather warm. going on. weather was mild. and rather warm-— rather warm. local sheriff t son rather warm. local sheriff tyson pogue _ rather warm. local sheriff tyson pogue was - rather warm. local sheriff tyson pogue wasjust - rather warm. local sheriff l tyson pogue wasjust three tyson pogue was just three months into his newjob. the months into his new “0b. the day started * months into his new “0b. the day started out _ months into his newjob. tia: day started out like months into his newjob. t'te: day started out like any months into his newjob. tt2 day started out like any other day. i was at home with the family, relaxing, looking
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forward to a quiet weekend. at, forward to a quiet weekend. a small fire had been reported to melissa wise of the us forest service. t melissa wise of the us forest service. , ., ., service. i first heard about it on friday. — service. i first heard about it on friday, september- service. i first heard about it on friday, september four. l service. i first heard about it| on friday, september four. it on friday, septemberfour. it was a fire that would need to be investigated and so i was tasked to bd investigator. 0n tasked to bd investigator. on friday evening it was a quarter of an acre. but it was reported. —— could be the investigator. 0n the morning of saturday it was 600 acres. that saturday it was 600 acres. at ten o'clock that morning the fire was still more than ten miles away in neighbouring fresno county.— miles away in neighbouring fresno county. what we could see way in _ fresno county. what we could see way in the _ fresno county. what we could see way in the distance, - see way in the distance, directly opposite where we were, was a little plume of smoke, so small. anybody would see that would think nothing of it. you would almost think maybe it is just a campfire. and we were like, 0k, maybe it is just a campfire. and we were like, ok, that is still— and we were like, ok, that is still plenty of ways away.
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we just continued with our morning. we wanted to go check out the lake, right? it is the first day of our vacation. the sun is out. it was beautiful. we all hopped into the boat and we were just plotting around the lake, throughout the coves, and doing some swimming. —— putting. the winded start to pick up and it was actually pretty forceful wind at this point. —— the wind did start to pick up. t point. -- the wind did start to ick u -. . ., point. -- the wind did start to --icku. . ., , ., pick up. i received a phone call that — pick up. i received a phone call that morning - pick up. i received a phone call that morning shortly . call that morning shortly afternoon letting me know of a fire that — afternoon letting me know of a fire that was actually in fresno _ fire that was actually in fresno county that they were worried — fresno county that they were worried was going tojump over the san — worried was going tojump over the sanjoaquin river and the san joaquin river and travel— the sanjoaquin river and travel into madera county and it was— travel into madera county and it was causing them can some concerh —
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it was causing them can some concern. , ., it was causing them can some concern. ,., _, . concern. -- them some concern. the small— concern. -- them some concern. the small plume _ concern. -- them some concern. the small plume had _ concern. -- them some concern. the small plume had got - concern. -- them some concern. the small plume had got inside. | the small plume had got inside. the small plume had got inside. the blue skies i mentioned were starting to be filled with these clouds. you still saw all these clouds. you still saw all the people down there by the boat dock, radio, barbecue, playing, nobody was leaving, w was packing. playing, nobody was leaving, w was packing-— was packing. during the whole time i was packing. during the whole time i was _ was packing. during the whole time i was listening _ was packing. during the whole time i was listening to - was packing. during the whole time i was listening to the - time i was listening to the radio, _ time i was listening to the radio, since what was going on with— radio, since what was going on with the — radio, since what was going on with the fire, where it was moving _ with the fire, where it was moving. —— nobody was packing. i moving. —— nobody was packing. i had _ moving. —— nobody was packing. i had somebody go across radio. ——| i had somebody go across radio. "i heard — i had somebody go across radio. ——i heard somebody come across the radi0~ — ——i heard somebody come across the radi0~ at— ——i heard somebody come across the radio. at that point i knew it was— the radio. at that point i knew it was going to be bad. the fire had now _ it was going to be bad. tt2 fire had now spread it was going to be bad. t“t2 fire had now spread into madera county and sheriff pogue's area of command. irate county and sheriff pogue's area of command-— of command. we had deputies with lights _ of command. we had deputies with lights and _ of command. we had deputies with lights and sirens - with lights and sirens evacuating the area. this is a very rural area. generally speaking forest fires move very
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slow. they take a long time to travel. i would say that my concern level was somewhat low but it ratcheted up rather quickly. irate ratcheted up rather quickly. we were all very relaxed, like, there — were all very relaxed, like, there is— were all very relaxed, like, there is a _ were all very relaxed, like, there is a fire, but we don't need — there is a fire, but we don't need to— there is a fire, but we don't need to be concerned about it, yet. _ need to be concerned about it, yet. just— need to be concerned about it, yet, just be aware of it, be aware _ yet, just be aware of it, be aware of— yet, just be aware of it, be aware of our surroundings. and up aware of our surroundings. and up there — aware of our surroundings. and up there is— aware of our surroundings. and up there is much as i have, it comes— up there is much as i have, it comes of— up there is much as i have, it comes of the territory. so we thought— comes of the territory. so we thought we had a more time than we did _ thought we had a more time than we did. 2, thought we had a more time than we did. . , ., ,, we did. that the smoke, it started in _ we did. that the smoke, it started in just _ we did. that the smoke, it started in just a _ we did. that the smoke, it started in just a snap - we did. that the smoke, it started in just a snap of. we did. that the smoke, it started in just a snap of a l started in just a snap of a finger and it literally took over the sky.— finger and it literally took over the sky. finger and it literally took overthes . ., over the sky. mammoth pool was uuite far over the sky. mammoth pool was quite far away — over the sky. mammoth pool was quite far away from _ over the sky. mammoth pool was quite far away from where - over the sky. mammoth pool was quite far away from where this i quite far away from where this was burning. however, once the deputies— was burning. however, once the deputies were on scene they could — deputies were on scene they could see how quickly this fire was moving. it was throwing soot— was moving. it was throwing soot fires— was moving. it was throwing spot fires 5—8 miles in front
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of the — spot fires 5—8 miles in front of the fire, which was greatly concerning. of the fire, which was greatly concerning-— concerning. down on the fire line, cal— concerning. down on the fire line, cal fire _ concerning. down on the fire line, cal fire firefighters - line, cal fire firefighters were taking orders from chief justin mccomb. br; were taking orders from chief justin mccomb.— were taking orders from chief justin mccomb. by the time you would implement a plan - justin mccomb. by the time you would implement a plan if- justin mccomb. by the time you would implement a plan if i - justin mccomb. by the time you would implement a plan if i wasj would implement a plan if i was ready on you and you would have to pull back and reassess. it just seemed like you would punch and if i would punch back and you would try to get ahead of it and it would get ahead of you. of it and it would get ahead of ou. , , of it and it would get ahead of ou. , ., , of it and it would get ahead of ou. , . , ., you. fuelled by dead trees and severe drought, _ you. fuelled by dead trees and severe drought, the _ you. fuelled by dead trees and severe drought, the fire - you. fuelled by dead trees and severe drought, the fire was i severe drought, the fire was advancing rapidly towards the holidaymakers. t advancing rapidly towards the holidaymakers.— holidaymakers. i got on the radio and — holidaymakers. i got on the radio and contacted - holidaymakers. i got on the radio and contacted madera county and said we needed officers to start evacuating. this was when we had to make an adult _ this was when we had to make an adult decision. we all agreed, let's get the heck— we all agreed, let's get the heck out _ we all agreed, let's get the heck out of here right now, let's— heck out of here right now, let's get— heck out of here right now, let's get out of here.
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you would think that people would — you would think that people would receive an evacuation alert. — would receive an evacuation alert. and _ would receive an evacuation alert, and evacuation notice. we never— alert, and evacuation notice. we never received anything. and i we never received anything. and i don't _ we never received anything. and i don't know why. the we never received anything. and i don't know why.— i don't know why. the sheriff is responsible _ i don't know why. the sheriff is responsible for— i don't know why. the sheriff is responsible for evacuation | is responsible for evacuation in the event of a wildfire. communication with people at the lake, it was a problem. ceuphone the lake, it was a problem. cellphone service comes in and out. so it is real difficult for us to let them know this fire is coming. and really they are all on their own. you know, thatis are all on their own. you know, that is upsetting for us and is very hard to deal with. emergency services raced to rescue the campers before it was too late. t rescue the campers before it was too late.— was too late. i continued up towards mammoth - was too late. i continued up towards mammoth pool- was too late. i continued upj towards mammoth pool and was too late. i continued up- towards mammoth pool and ran into a wall of flames.
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we need a new option, we need a helicopter, we need anything to get eyes up there, because our access was cut off.— access was cut off. how do we aet access was cut off. how do we get these _ access was cut off. how do we get these people _ access was cut off. how do we get these people out? - access was cut off. how do we get these people out? initially we reached out to highway patrol— we reached out to highway patrol and the fresno county sheriff — patrol and the fresno county sheriff 's _ patrol and the fresno county sheriff '5 office was not both of those _ sheriff '5 office was not both of those have helicopters. office _ of those have helicopters. office. both of those have helicopters. —— office. —— both of those have helicopters. for them to come back and tell us that— for them to come back and tell us that they are not able to access— us that they are not able to access the area is quite concerning.
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everybody just fleeing to everybodyjust fleeing to the lake. the fire was a dumb extraneous by that stage. ahead of the flames i will never forget. of the flames i will never for: et. ., , forget. -- the fire was surrounding _ forget. -- the fire was surrounding us - forget. -- the fire was surrounding us by - forget. -- the fire was surrounding us by that forget. -- the fire was - surrounding us by that stage. we got — surrounding us by that stage. we got to the lake and i can rememberthe we got to the lake and i can remember the trail on the way down _ remember the trail on the way down there. it is how fast were 9°lii9~ — down there. it is how fast were 9°lii9~ if— down there. it is how fast were 9°lii9~ if i— down there. it is how fast were going. if i was around us, beside _ going. if i was around us, beside us, and in front of us. and — beside us, and in front of us. and we — beside us, and in front of us. and we knew we were all, all of us were — and we knew we were all, all of us were irr— and we knew we were all, all of us were in trouble.— us were in trouble. jeremy and his family _ us were in trouble. jeremy and his family were _ us were in trouble. jeremy and his family were trying - us were in trouble. jeremy and his family were trying to - us were in trouble. jeremy and his family were trying to get i his family were trying to get back across the lake to their cars. , . ., ., , ., cars. one second there was no fire, just _ cars. one second there was no fire, just smoke. _ cars. one second there was no fire, just smoke. the - cars. one second there was no fire, just smoke. the next - fire, just smoke. the next second you are in the boat and you have fire on all sides of you. you are like, this is absolutely unreal. this is unreal, this is not happening.
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nobody would ever expect something to happen so fast. all of a sudden you can't breathe. i mean, the smoke started getting so bad my brother had his two little kids, he made sure they were down on the floor of the boat, put the blanket in the water, run it out, put it over, so they can actually breathe. and as we're getting closer closer to the boat dock, the place was engulfed. the whole place. completely engulfed in flames. nearly 1000 firefighters were deployed to battle the blaze. it was a defeating feeling, i wanted to help them anyway we could. we were thinking of getting some of our fire bulldozers and try to open up the roadway, it wasjust bulldozers and try to open up the roadway, it was just not a realistic approach. we didn't have a whole lot of good options to help them.
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all i could think about was getting help to those people. the smoke just billowed, it billowed over the lake, bata. i mean. — billowed over the lake, bata. i mean. it— billowed over the lake, bata. i mean, it was bad. the heat was had _ mean, it was bad. the heat was bad you — mean, it was bad. the heat was bad. you actually felt the heat. _ bad. you actually felt the heat. it _ bad. you actually felt the heat, it was hot, very hot. people _ heat, it was hot, very hot. people had begun seeking refuge in the water. t people had begun seeking refuge in the water-— in the water. i felt like that was how — in the water. i felt like that was how we _ in the water. i felt like that was how we were - in the water. i felt like that was how we were going - in the water. i felt like that was how we were going to | in the water. i felt like that. was how we were going to die, just then, thinking, this is how we are going to go out. there is no way we're going to get of this. we were on vacation, what, just a couple of hours before we were at a waterfall. now we were at a waterfall. now we were trapped 360 by a fire. it's like, how do you explain this? how do you explain what just happened, right? it's no coverage, nobody is coming to
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save us, what's going to happen? are we going to fall asleep and die of the smoke? we didn't know. we definitely didn't know. we definitely didn't think we were going to get rescued, because nobody knew anything. with the fire closing in, the sheriff had one last roll of the dice. sheriff had one last roll of the dice-— sheriff had one last roll of the dice. . ., ., the dice. that was one of those oints in the dice. that was one of those points in your _ the dice. that was one of those points in your life _ the dice. that was one of those points in your life where - the dice. that was one of those points in your life where you i points in your life where you realise, this is serious. this is going to be a big deal. tie is going to be a big deal. he requested help from the california national guard. t'sre california national guard. i've been on plenty _ california national guard. i've been on plenty of _ california national guard. t2 been on plenty of missions where there is a bad guy out there who wants to make sure that you are no longer flying. i've had plenty of things launched at me or shot at me. this, the fire, was by far the most dangerous thing that we have put ourselves into knowingly.
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have put ourselves into knowingly-— have put ourselves into knowinul . �* knowingly. but firefighting aircraft on _ knowingly. but firefighting aircraft on the _ knowingly. but firefighting aircraft on the perimeter. knowingly. but firefighting | aircraft on the perimeter of the blaze reported bad news. irate the blaze reported bad news. we were in the blaze reported bad news. 2 were in communication with the planes who were working the fire, and those planes essentially were relating back to us that conditions were, it was not going to be possible to get any type of aircraft in there. there was no visibility, if i was too dangerous, there was just no way it was going to happen. —— the fire was too dangerous. i mean, it is a fire of apocalyptic proportions here. ~ 2, of apocalyptic proportions here. ~ . . , ., ., here. we made the decision to no in here. we made the decision to go in there _ here. we made the decision to go in there and _ here. we made the decision to go in there and do _ here. we made the decision to go in there and do this. - go in there and do this. piloting _ go in there and do this. piloting command joseph rosamond's cvhinook was accompanied by a black hawk. irate accompanied by a black hawk. we had accompanied by a black hawk. 2 had never flown in or around a had neverflown in or around a fire using nightvision goggles and we definitely had never flown inside a fire at night. that is what really made it really intense.— that is what really made it really intense. the pilots flew into the wall _ really intense. the pilots flew into the wall of _ really intense. the pilots flew into the wall of smoke. - into the wall of smoke. everything that could be on fire was on fire. if you think
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of the apocalypse, right, that is what it looks like. ibm;r is what it looks like. by saturday _ is what it looks like. by saturday night the creek fire had spread over 43,000 acres. there were embers coming up from these pockets of fire throughout the valley. man, if something goes wrong now, there is nothing we are going to be able to do. we are probably all going to die. irate able to do. we are probably all going to die-— going to die. we heard a noise in the distance, _ going to die. we heard a noise in the distance, and _ going to die. we heard a noise in the distance, and it - going to die. we heard a noise in the distance, and it was - in the distance, and it was quickly— in the distance, and it was quickly identified that this wasn't _ quickly identified that this wasn'tjust a quickly identified that this wasn't just a helicopter, quickly identified that this wasn'tjust a helicopter, this was — wasn'tjust a helicopter, this was a — wasn'tjust a helicopter, this was a chinook. somebody knows we are _ was a chinook. somebody knows we are here. my was a chinook. somebody knows we are here-— we are here. my co-pilot finally pointed _ we are here. my co-pilot finally pointed out - we are here. my co-pilot finally pointed out in - we are here. my co-pilot finally pointed out in his| we are here. my co-pilot i finally pointed out in his ten o'clock position of the aircraft that he saw a bunch of flashing lights, hazard lights from headlights from the group of people that were at mammoth pools. we did the landing, we kicked up a ton of dust. it completely browned out the visuals, divisibility went down to zero for a while. bud visuals, divisibility went down to zero for a while. and you've not the to zero for a while. and you've got the national _ to zero for a while. and you've got the national guard - to zero for a while. and you've got the national guard coming out, _ got the national guard coming out, totally on full tactical gear— out, totally on full tactical gear with their infrared
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vision _ gear with their infrared vision. women, children, injured _ vision. women, children, injured first. theyjust started _ injured first. theyjust started piling people on. | injured first. they just started piling people on. i got back to the — started piling people on. i got back to the trailer, _ started piling people on. i got back to the trailer, they i started piling people on. i got back to the trailer, they said, you kids _ back to the trailer, they said, you kids need _ back to the trailer, they said, you kids need to— back to the trailer, they said, you kids need to get- back to the trailer, they said, you kids need to get your- back to the trailer, they said, you kids need to get your as. back to the trailer, they said, l you kids need to get your as is on that— you kids need to get your as is on that chopper— you kids need to get your as is on that chopper and _ you kids need to get your as is on that chopper and get - you kids need to get your as is on that chopper and get out i you kids need to get your as is on that chopper and get out of here _ on that chopper and get out of here now _ on that chopper and get out of here now i_ on that chopper and get out of here now. i said, _ on that chopper and get out of here now. i said, go— on that chopper and get out of here now. i said, go and - on that chopper and get out of here now. i said, go and live, i here now. i said, go and live, if i here now. i said, go and live, if i don't _ here now. i said, go and live, if i don't make _ here now. i said, go and live, if i don't make it _ here now. i said, go and live, if i don't make it out, - here now. i said, go and live, if i don't make it out, i- here now. i said, go and live, if i don't make it out, i don'tl if i don't make it out, i don't make — if i don't make it out, i don't make it _ if i don't make it out, i don't make it out _ if i don't make it out, i don't make it out. i— if i don't make it out, i don't make it out.— make it out. i turned around and i looked _ make it out. i turned around and i looked back— make it out. i turned around and i looked back and i make it out. i turned around and i looked back and there | make it out. i turned around i and i looked back and there was and i looked back and there was a family sitting in the seats that i could see, a mother with a couple of her kids, they were the same age as my kids. and that really hit home with me, and i had to tell myself, all right, don't look back anymore, because we need to focus on what we are doing. tt because we need to focus on what we are doing.— because we need to focus on what we are doing. it was super nois . what we are doing. it was super noisy- they _ what we are doing. it was super noisy. they were _ what we are doing. it was super noisy. they were giving - what we are doing. it was super noisy. they were giving out i noisy. they were giving out earbuds. _ noisy. they were giving out earbuds, but... iwas noisy. they were giving out earbuds, but... i was the first one _ earbuds, but... i was the first one to — earbuds, but... i was the first one to get _ earbuds, but... i was the first one to get onto the floor because i was in the very back. that— because i was in the very back. that night— because i was in the very back. that night the chinook and the black hawk flew three rescue missions out of mammoth pools.
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the ride back to the military base, it had to be many, many miles ofjustifier. fire. nothing but read embers and flames. it was like looking into hell. flames. it was like looking into hell-— flames. it was like looking into hell. , ., , into hell. 242 survivors were flown to safety _ into hell. 242 survivors were flown to safety on _ into hell. 242 survivors were l flown to safety on overloaded aircraft. but a handful of people still remained at mammoth pool. among them, chris. , ., ., .,~ mammoth pool. among them, chris. , ., ., , chris. they would not take my do . s, chris. they would not take my dogs. so _ chris. they would not take my dogs. so i _ chris. they would not take my dogs, so i didn't _ chris. they would not take my dogs, so i didn't get _ chris. they would not take my dogs, so i didn't get on - chris. they would not take my dogs, so i didn't get on the i dogs, so i didn't get on the aircraft. and my dogs, you know, basically, they are our family. that know, basically, they are our famil. �* , know, basically, they are our famil. . , family. at six o'clock the following _ family. at six o'clock the following morning, i family. at six o'clock the i following morning, melissa assembled a team to complete the rescue. irate assembled a team to complete the rescue-— assembled a team to complete the rescue. we have a mission, there are _ the rescue. we have a mission, there are still _ the rescue. we have a mission, there are still people _ the rescue. we have a mission, there are still people left. i the rescue. we have a mission, there are still people left. we l there are still people left. we are getting to them and they are getting to them and they are going to know that they are being rescued. i let the guys and said, here we go. this is a
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team, let's go. and we started to make our way down towards the mammoth pool reservoir. when we got up the following morning, it was so smoky you couldn't see the trailer in front of you.— couldn't see the trailer in front of you. that's how bad the smoke _ front of you. that's how bad the smoke was. _ front of you. that's how bad the smoke was. they - front of you. that's how bad the smoke was. they were l front of you. that's how bad i the smoke was. they were afraid that we _ the smoke was. they were afraid that we were all going to get smoke — that we were all going to get smoke inhalation. they were afraid — smoke inhalation. they were afraid we _ smoke inhalation. they were afraid we were going to die from — afraid we were going to die from it _ afraid we were going to die from it. there was no sense of time _ from it. there was no sense of time at — from it. there was no sense of time at all _ from it. there was no sense of time at all-— time at all. that afternoon, a local firefighter _ time at all. that afternoon, a local firefighter paused i time at all. that afternoon, a local firefighter paused his i local firefighter paused his work to look up at the sky. sunday the sixth �*s, it is 2:30pm. we haven't seen sunlight for quite some time. we cut over 60 trees on the roadways— we cut over 60 trees on the roadways to get down there. we did not— roadways to get down there. we did not reach them until about 730. _ did not reach them until about 730, 8pm. all did not reach them until about 730, 8pm— 730, 8pm. all of a sudden i
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start seeing _ 730, 8pm. all of a sudden i start seeing flashlights. i 730, 8pm. all of a sudden i | start seeing flashlights. and i'm start seeing flashlights. and im like. _ start seeing flashlights. and im like. holy— start seeing flashlights. and i'm like, holy sort, - start seeing flashlights. and i'm like, holy sort, the i start seeing flashlights. and i i'm like, holy sort, the forest service! — i'm like, holy sort, the forest service! that's— i'm like, holy sort, the forest service! that's when - i'm like, holy sort, the forest service! that's when we - i'm like, holy sort, the forestl service! that's when we knew, we're — service! that's when we knew, we're getting _ service! that's when we knew, we're getting out— service! that's when we knew, we're getting out of— service! that's when we knew, we're getting out of here. i service! that's when we knew, we're getting out of here. once we're getting out of here. once we not we're getting out of here. once we got down — we're getting out of here. once we got down to _ we're getting out of here. once we got down to the _ we're getting out of here. once we got down to the boat - we're getting out of here.“ we got down to the boat launch, we got down to the boat launch, we had people there who very happy to see us. and so we lined everyone up, telling them, once you start to go through the fire, you will have to go through, then you continue to go. don't stop. th continue to go. don't stop. in convoy, the final survivors drove out to safety, along with chris and his dogs. t drove out to safety, along with chris and his dogs.— chris and his dogs. i said, we're almost _ chris and his dogs. i said, we're almost out - chris and his dogs. i said, we're almost out of i chris and his dogs. i said, we're almost out of here. | chris and his dogs. i said, | we're almost out of here. i chris and his dogs. i said, i we're almost out of here. i be patient. be patient. we are almost out of here. it was certain death. that's exactly what it was. we were lucky to get out alive. completely lucky to get out alive.—
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to get out alive. after three and a half _ to get out alive. after three and a half months, - to get out alive. after three and a half months, the i to get out alive. after three. and a half months, the creek fire — and a half months, the creek fire was _ and a half months, the creek fire was finally contained on christmas eve. 26 fire was finally contained on christmas eve.— fire was finally contained on christmas eve. 26 people had been injured. _ christmas eve. 26 people had been injured. in _ christmas eve. 26 people had been injured. in my— christmas eve. 26 people had been injured. in my 40 i been injured. in my 40 something _ been injured. in my 40 something years i been injured. in my 40 something years of i been injured. in my 40 l something years of living been injured. in my 40 - something years of living here, in my 20 years of working in the forest department, i've never seen anything like it. it is my understanding that it broke the california record for the fastest moving fire. and all of that in little madeira county. —— madera. i can't imagine what those people went through. t’m imagine what those people went throu~h. �* ., through. i'm sad for the forest. _ through. i'm sad for the forest, because - through. i'm sad for the forest, because all- through. i'm sad for the forest, because all the. through. i'm sad for the i forest, because all the forest is gone _ forest, because all the forest is one. y forest, because all the forest is one. g , ., ., is gone. my girls are doing ok. my youngest — is gone. my girls are doing ok. my youngest still, _ is gone. my girls are doing ok. my youngest still, still- is gone. my girls are doing ok. my youngest still, still gets i my youngest still, still gets nightmares, _ my youngest still, still gets nightmares, still— my youngest still, still gets nightmares, still wants- my youngest still, still gets nightmares, still wants to i nightmares, still wants to sleep _ nightmares, still wants to sleep with_ nightmares, still wants to sleep with me _ nightmares, still wants to sleep with me and - nightmares, still wants to sleep with me and be - nightmares, still wants to i sleep with me and be extra close — sleep with me and be extra close and _ sleep with me and be extra close and clinging - sleep with me and be extra close and clinging to - sleep with me and be extra close and clinging to me. l sleep with me and be extra close and clinging to me. i| close and clinging to me. i think— close and clinging to me. i think emotionally- close and clinging to me. i think emotionally and - close and clinging to me. i- think emotionally and mentally it is going _ think emotionally and mentally it is going to— think emotionally and mentally it is going to take _ think emotionally and mentally it is going to take us _ think emotionally and mentally it is going to take us a - think emotionally and mentally it is going to take us a little - it is going to take us a little bit longer _ it is going to take us a little bit longer-— bit longer. president trump . ave bit longer. president trump gave metals _ bit longer. president trump gave metals to _ bit longer. president trump gave metals to joseph - bit longer. president trump - gave metals to joseph rosamond gave metals tojoseph rosamond and the national guard pilots for their bravery. more than 4
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million acres of california burned in 2020. trump blames the wildfires on poor forest management. we the wildfires on poor forest management.— the wildfires on poor forest management. the wildfires on poor forest manauement. ~ �* ., management. we say, you've got to net rid management. we say, you've got to get rid of— management. we say, you've got to get rid of the _ management. we say, you've got to get rid of the leaves, _ to get rid of the leaves, you've got to get rid of the debris, you've got to get rid of the fallen trees. but president-elect - of the fallen trees. but president-elect bidenl of the fallen trees. but president—elect biden sees wildfires as a symptom of what america's greatest challenges. the damage from climate change is already here. unless we take urgent action, it will soon be more catastrophic. in urgent action, it will soon be more catastrophic.— more catastrophic. in the western _ more catastrophic. in the western us, _ more catastrophic. in the western us, human - more catastrophic. in the l western us, human caused climate change has nearly doubled the area burned by wildfires since 1984. the president is changing, and the wildfires will keep burning. this isn't the first fire we've heard of and this is not the first fire season. there is a good chance that something like this will probably happen next year, orthe this will probably happen next year, or the year after, this will probably happen next year, orthe yearafter, right? because it is a regular thing
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with california. how many more acres of forest do we have before it is just like, acres of forest do we have before it isjust like, god, there's nothing left, right? 911, state your emergency... hello. friday turned out to be quite a quiet weather day across many parts of the british isles. perhaps you had the opportunity to get out and enjoy some of the beauty that's widely available across the north of england and indeed up into parts of scotland. and we're not quite done with this wintry weather scenario just yet, because as we start the weekend, a new set of weather fronts will drive their way in from the atlantic. and some of this atlantic moisture is going to fall into really quite cold air across the eastern side of the british isles. so we're going to see further accumulations, and notjust where we already have significant amount of lying snow. as we creep away towards the higher ground of lincolnshire
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and down to east anglia, this is where we may see new accumulations of snow, widely 2cm of snow, but in some areas we could see as much as 5—10cm and that's why the met office have issued this amber weather warning for snow. as i say, up to 5—10cm distinctly possible in some areas. that threat exists while these weather fronts dominate the scene particularly so across the eastern side of britain. isobars quite densely packed on those charts so it's going to be a blustery day — especially so across the northern half of britain. right from the word go, many parts of central and eastern scotland, the midlands through north england and eastern england will see that combination of rain or snow which will take time to get away from east anglia, hence those accumulations, and they also take the time to get away from east kent, as well. quite a blustery day following behind. winds probably at their strongest across the north of scotland. temperatures really struggling after that chill wintry start across the east. some in south wales in the south—west may get to double figures. that weather feature's going to cause all sorts
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of problems through the heart of continental europe through sunday. but closer to home, we'll see a little build of high pressure just getting in across a good part of england and wales. settling things nicely here. not too much in the way of breeze. further the north, a blustery day. some showers, if not longer spells of rain for scotland and northern ireland. temperatures into single figures and come the middle part of the forthcoming week things will turn a little wetter, milder and windier. take care. bye— bye.
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this is bbc news, with the latest headlines for viewers in the uk and around the world. i'm lewis vaughan jones. 100 days, 100 million shots — joe biden sets out his coronavirus vaccination plan, warning things will get worse before they get better. truthfully, we remain in a very dark winter. infection rates are up 34%. more people are being hospitalised because of covid than ever before. the number of people around the world who have died —— india begins a mammoth regulation programme, aiming to inoculate 3 million people by august. the number of people around the world who have died with covid—19 passes the 2 million mark. thousands of people
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set off from honduras

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