All week media have been reporting on a fire slowly sweeping through Angeles National Forest in Los Angeles County, but in most cases --- for those on the road fearing their cabins or homes might be threatened --- radio reporters failed to pinpoint an exact location, notes Grumpy Editor.
The blaze, consuming thick brush, has spread over 4,000 acres.
When the fire started on Labor Day, about 12,000 people had to cancel hiking and camping plans. But residents of Camp Williams, a small community north of Azusa, refused to leave.
Print media and Associated Press gave general locations okay, mentioning nearby cities, but network radio and some TV news reports somehow merely wrapped it up as “near Los Angeles” or “in Angeles National Forest.”
Angeles National Forest, unlike a community park, is about 75 miles wide, extending from near the Kern County line eastward along the San Gabriel Mountains to north of Rancho Cucamonga in San Bernardino County. Widest point spans about 25 miles.
Examples of fuzziness on location of the fire:
A CBS radio reporter mentioned only that it was “near Los Angeles.”
An ABC radio reporter near the fire lines said the blaze was “in the Angeles National Forest.”
Another CBS radio reporter gave his location as “here,” not indicating where he was standing.
However, pinpointing his location was Fox News television reporter Adam Housely. He was in Glendora, 25 miles east of Los Angeles, and closest city to the blaze in mountains to the north.
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