Free Republic

SOUTH LAKE TAHOE, Calif. - Residents awoke to smoke-free sky Friday as officials announced they had turned the corner in fighting a wildfire that destroyed 254 buildings and threatened thousands more in this resort community. After a second straight day of mild winds allowed firefighters to surround the blaze, U.S. Forest Service commanders said they planned to reduce their force by one-fourth and allow residents to inspect the wreckage for the first time. "Firefighters came in this morning and felt even more comfortable about the approaching containment of this fire," incident commander Rich Hawkins said. "I'm feeling pretty good about...

Etna awakes with storm of fire and lava By Malcolm Moore, Rome Correspondent (Filed: 18/07/2006) Mount Etna, the largest active volcano in Europe, threw fire and rocks more than 800ft into the air yesterday. Spectacular: The explosions are coming from two holes near to the top of the volcano Etna, which is almost 11,000ft high, sits 18 miles from Catania on Sicily's east coast. Several villages lie on its lower slopes, but the Italian government said yesterday that the lava was flowing away from them, and that there was no immediate danger. The explosions are coming from two holes near...

AL ASAD, Iraq (Nov. 6, 2005) -- Two hours into a deep sleep, he awoke to the sound of bullets flying and alarms screaming as heavily armed al-Qaeda terrorists attacked the U.S. Consulate Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. He immediately assumed his duties as acting detachment commander of the Marine Security Guard, and was directly responsible for saving the lives of Consulate employees and maintaining security of the consulate. Staff Sgt. Michael L. Young, an EA-6B Prowler mechanic staff noncommissioned officer-in-charge with Marine Electronic Warfare Squadron 1, was awarded the Bronze Star with combat distinguishing device, Nov. 1, at Al Asad, Iraq,...

<p>The Great Wall of China, roughly defining the northern contours of the Chinese empire, has stood in the same place for 2,200 years. The Great Wall of America ? the barrier of bases set up around the world to define the contours of the free world and hold back the Soviet empire ? is about to disappear after just 50 years.</p>