Los Angeles Times People Finder

By Margit Rubins

In a unique collaboration during the Southern California wildfires, the Los Angeles Times launched a "people finder" site with several other newspapers that allows residents to register information so that others will know where they are. The site, http://firesearch.latimes.com, is also being linked to Web sites of KTLA-TV, San Diego Union-Tribune, The Voice of San Diego, North County Times of Escondido and the Daily Transcript of San Diego. Meredith Artley, executive editor of latimes.com, estimated at least 1,500 people have registered since the site launched on Oct. 24.

The Times also announced the creation of a relief fund, along with KTLA-TV, which will match donations at 50 cents per dollar. The Los Angeles Times Family Fund/KTLA-5 Charities Fire Relief Campaign is a joint effort of the McCormick Tribune Foundation, The Times and KTLA.

The Times editorial staff is preparing a special section on the wildfires for Sunday, Oct. 28.