VOA慢速英语2017--加利福尼亚北部野火扩大

Northern California Wildfires Become Larger

Wildfires continue to spread in northern California.

American weather experts were predicting high winds and low humidity levels in the area on Thursday. Such conditions are making it difficult to stop the 22 major wildfires north of San Francisco.

The fires are blamed for at least 23 deaths. About 300 other people are listed as missing. California officials say at least 3,500 homes and businesses have been destroyed.

Earlier this week, President Donald Trump¹ declared part of northern California a disaster area. His declaration makes the area eligible² for assistance from the federal government.

The fires

The state's forestry³ department fire chief, Ken⁴ Pimlott, is helping⁵ to direct the 8,000 firefighters struggling to contain the wildfires. He called the fires "a serious, critical, catastrophic event."

This week, police blocked many roads and prevented residents from going to neighborhoods destroyed by the fires.

Dave Larson lives in the Sonoma County community of Glen Ellen. He returned to his neighborhood to look for his cats.

As he looked at the damage, he noted⁶ that some of his neighbors' homes had survived. Larson said he regretted he had not stayed, like his neighbors, standing⁷ on the housetop and fighting the fire with his water hose.

Larson told VOA that he lost many objects that were valuable to him, including his grandfather's gun.

"One thing I really kick myself for not grabbing before the fire came was my grandfather's 100 year old Lebel rifle that he was shot with in World War II. And it was in perfect condition. And as you can see, this is what's left. The bayonet is still attached. It's amazing. It was still sitting right next to my flat screen TV, which is also completely melted."

Gordon O'Brien is a fire captain from Alameda, California. He said when a fire is coming fast, there is little people can do except save themselves.

On Wednesday, O'Brien and his crew were working on protecting buildings instead of fighting the fire.

"We're not focusing a whole lot right now on the actual containment⁸ – at least my aspect of it… We're focusing on structure protection and dealing⁹ within the fire lines to stop anything else from burning down."

History of fires in the region

Northern California has experienced many large fires in the past - although the current wildfires are the deadliest in recent memory.

In 2012, a wildfire known as "Rush" burned over 110,000 hectares. In 2013, the "Rim¹⁰" fire burned over 100,000 hectares and destroyed more than 100 structures.

Strong, dry winds blow across the countryside from the mountains. These winds put northern California at a high risk for wildfires in the late summer and early autumn.

State officials said they do not know the exact cause of the current fires. They say anything from a backfiring car to a burning cigarette can start a fire.

In the past, people, lightning, and even powerlines have caused wildfires in northern California.

It will be weeks before the exact amount of the damage is known. But for now, residents are just trying to make it through this fire safely.

I'm John Russell.

Words in This Story

humidity – n. the amount of moisture in the air

eligible – adj. able to be chosen for something; able to do or receive something

hose – n. a long, usually rubber tube that liquids or gases can flow through

backfire – n. a loud sound a car makes when fuel is not burned properly

resident – n. someone who has lived in a place for some length of time

1 trump   

n.王牌，法宝；v.打出王牌，吹喇叭

参考例句：

• He was never able to trump up the courage to have a showdown.他始终鼓不起勇气摊牌。
• The coach saved his star player for a trump card.教练保留他的明星选手，作为他的王牌。

2 eligible   

adj.有条件被选中的；(尤指婚姻等)合适(意)的

参考例句：

• He is an eligible young man.他是一个合格的年轻人。
• Helen married an eligible bachelor.海伦嫁给了一个中意的单身汉。

3 forestry   

n.森林学；林业

参考例句：

• At present, the Chinese forestry is being at a significant transforming period. 当前, 我国的林业正处于一个重大的转折时期。
• Anhua is one of the key forestry counties in Hunan province. 安化县是湖南省重点林区县之一。

4 ken   

n.视野，知识领域

参考例句：

• Such things are beyond my ken.我可不懂这些事。
• Abstract words are beyond the ken of children.抽象的言辞超出小孩所理解的范围.

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 noted   

adj.著名的，知名的

参考例句：

• The local hotel is noted for its good table.当地的那家酒店以餐食精美而著称。
• Jim is noted for arriving late for work.吉姆上班迟到出了名。

7 standing   

n.持续，地位；adj.永久的，不动的，直立的，不流动的

参考例句：

• After the earthquake only a few houses were left standing.地震过后只有几幢房屋还立着。
• They're standing out against any change in the law.他们坚决反对对法律做任何修改。

8 containment   

n.阻止，遏制；容量

参考例句：

• Your list might include such things as cost containment,quality,or customer satisfaction.你的清单上应列有诸如成本控制、产品质量、客户满意程度等内容。
• Insularity and self-containment,it is argued,go hand in hand.他们争论说，心胸狭窄和自我封闭是并存的。

9 dealing   

n.经商方法，待人态度

参考例句：

• This store has an excellent reputation for fair dealing.该商店因买卖公道而享有极高的声誉。
• His fair dealing earned our confidence.他的诚实的行为获得我们的信任。

10 rim   

n.(圆物的)边，轮缘；边界

参考例句：

• The water was even with the rim of the basin.盆里的水与盆边平齐了。
• She looked at him over the rim of her glass.她的目光越过玻璃杯的边沿看着他。