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TIME: Almanac 1993
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TIME Almanac 1993.iso
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083192
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0831993.000
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1993-04-08
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THE WEEK, Page 15NATIONGold Rush in Reverse
California battles a wildfire in the land of Mark Twain and
Bret Harte
Calaveras County was once the heart of the Gold Rush. This
August the rush has been for the exits. Stubborn forest fires
swept through drought-stricken timber and brush, threatening a
score of scenic small towns, once made famous by Mark Twain and
Bret Harte, and forcing nearly 14,000 residents to flee. Nearly
4,000 fire fighters labored throughout the week, bringing the
flames under control just as another wildfire broke out in
Northern California's Shasta County.
Several hungry fire fighters who tried to use state-issued
meal vouchers were turned away by local restaurant owners who
didn't trust the budgetless state government to pay their bills.
"It's understandable," said Lisa Boyd, spokesman for the state
Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, "but no fire
fighters are going hungry." Other Calaveras County restaurants
were willing to take a chance and feed the exhausted smoke
eaters.