weather conditions also contributed to the disastrous fire. No significant rain had fallen for almost teo month, and most welld and streams were dry. Cracks criss-crossed the dry earth, Had it rained prior to the fire, the moist ground could have helped prevent its spread. Furthermore, high southwesterly winds up toforty miles per hour were recorded in the souther area of the forest. These poerful winds not oly knocked downd large threed, but also tore roofs from buildings and lifed people off their feet