Arson or alert? The guys on WWL just said start a fire so they will

[I_Make_Mistakes]

find you! I couldn't figure out why people would resort to arson.
They do have listeners who have called in.(edit to add) from NOLA.
Some people still have landlines.

[chalky]

1. I read a post earlier this week about the gunshots at the helicopters

couple that came out of NO speculated that the shooters were desperately trying to signal them, not shoot them.

[TheDebbieDee]

2. One of the explanations that I've heard and read

about the shots being fired at rescue boats and helicopters is that the shooters were signaling for help by firing straight up in the air - they wanted to attract the attention of the rescuers.

Unfortunately, the rescuers thought the rescuees were shooting AT the rescuers.

[Catherine Vincent]

3. That would be a logical explanation.

Unbelievable what's been said.

[Spike from MN]

6. Yeah, but it depends.

If the shooter was black, it was obviously a gang member trying to shoot down the rescue chopper. If the shooter was white, they were merely trying to signal the chopper in order to get help for someone in need. You should really get your facts straight before you post such misleading information. :sarcasm:

[OhioChick]

4. Starting a fire would make

sense to me if my family were still stuck there with no help.

[LisaL]

5. Well, it doesn't make any sense to me.

It's like cutting a brunch you are sitting on. Once you start a fire, you will burn in it and die.

[OhioChick]

7. Not neccesarily............

If desperate enough (which I'm sure those people are) one would likely try to draw some attention to an area in which they were in...........not enough to hurt them, but to get help into the vicinty. Survival........whatever you think "might" help. I can see this.

[LisaL]

8. Fire is not something you can control, once it starts.

Most likely these people will burn before rescuers can get to them.

[OhioChick]

9. But.............

is one thinking straight after 5 or 6 days with no food, water or hope?

[I_Make_Mistakes]

12. There are people in NOLA that have the ability to hear and call

this station. They are. There was just an E. Nola resident who called couple of mins. ago. How in all that water are you going to be seen. St. Tammary Paris flyovers tomorrow, they did say, use paint, sheets etc, first, if nothing else start a fire. Just let them know you are there.

[spuddonna]

10. They're talking about a signal fire... not setting your garage ablaze!

lol They're just saying 'do something' to make yourself visible to helicopters who are looking over the area...

[OhioChick]

11. Exactly.............. n/t

[I_Make_Mistakes]

13. Kick

[smurfygirl]

14. people lost in the woods also do this

they start fires so someone can see the smoke and help them.

This is a survival moment. Even the boy scouts are told to make a fire to be seen.