1991 Wrap-up
Michael Landon,
California Brush Fire The brush fire that killed 19 people in Oakland, Calif, w a s the costliest blaze in U.S. history — the damage w a s put at more than $5 billion. This surpasses the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. Pushed by 25 m p h winds across brush that had been dried by five years of drought, the October 1991 blaze destroyed more than 1,800 houses and 900 apartments, city officials said. In addition to the 19 killed, 148 were injured, and 5,000 were evacuated, according to Sheriff Robert Jarrett. President Bush declared the fire site a major disaster area, opening the door to federal aid for the rebuilding. The w o o d e d area, with its postcard views of San Francisco Bay, w a s a disaster waiting to happen because of the drought, officials said. M a n y of the area's once-elegant homes were reduced to rubble, their bare chimneys looming like giant tombstones. Forestry Department spokeswoman Karen Terrill said, "The very thing that makes the wildlands attractive and romantic, like the trees, is what makes the wildlands deadly."
star of m a n y family-based TV series (Bonanza, Little House on the Prairie and Highway to Heaven), died of cancer on Julyl. After it was announced on April 8 that Landon had fallen victim to pancreatic cancer, he fought a ferocious final battle. Landon died with his family gathered near his bedside.
Magic Johnson announced on November 7 that he had tested positive for the H I V virus and w a s retiring. "Because of the H I V virus I have attained, I will have to announce m y retirement from the Lakers today," Johnson told reporters at the Forum, where he played 12 superstar seasons with the Los Angeles Lakers. Johnson, whose given n a m e is Earvin, received his nickname from a sports writer after a 36-point, 18rebound, 16-assist performance in high school.
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Don Mattingly received national attention in August for more than his baseball expertise. A flat refusal to get a haircut resulted in his being benched just before the N e w York Yankees' g a m e against Kansas City.
