TOO DRY: The blaze scorching thousands of...

TOO DRY: The blaze scorching thousands of acres north of Fillmore and Santa Paula is being fueled by excessive vegetation made even more flammable by this year’s abnormally dry April (A1) . . . “We had such a wet winter last year and near normal temperatures this year, which led to the growth of a lot of vegetation--a lot of fuel,� says county hydrologist John Weikel. For example, Fillmore is about 26% drier than usual this month, with only .88 inch of rain.

BAD AIR: The resulting smoke and ash can produce difficult breathing conditions for people with asthma and other lung problems (B1) . . . There are few guaranteed forms of relief, cautions Dr. Harold Rosengren, an Oxnard allergist. Wearing a mask or staying indoors with the air conditioner on may not be practical. When it gets unbearable, just leave. “If you’re close enough to it and you’re really suffering, try to find a hotel for a few days.�

MR. CLEAN: Instead of an eyesore, Mark Ginchereau looks at graffiti and sees opportunity. The co-owner of Blast-Mor Industries hopes to sell a portable sandblaster, which removes markings and rust from most surfaces (D7C) . . . Taggers have found a particularly difficult-to-remove stain: surfboard wax. Too much cinder block must be peeled away to eliminate it, requiring other cleanup methods. “Painting is the best mechanism for that,� he says.

BY THE NUMBERS: Along with anxious parents scrutinizing the latest high school performance figures (B1) are hundreds of real estate professionals who use such data to help market the homes they sell. . . . Chris McClintock, president of the Conejo Valley Assn. of Realtors, says the quality of a neighborhood’s schools helps determine property values. As test scores continue to slide, so can prices. “If I see that [scores] have dropped, I’m going to be concerned--not just for my children but for my property value,� she says.