Why is flu spread in the winter?

A New York Times article suggests that flu spreads more easily in the winter because the flu virus is more stable in colder, dryer conditions. See:

Study Shows Why the Flu Likes Winter
By GINA KOLATA
Published: December 5, 2007
New York Times: Health

Researchers in New York believe they have solved one of the great mysteries of the flu: Why does the infection spread primarily in the winter months?

The answer, they say, has to do with the virus itself. It is more stable and stays in the air longer when air is cold and dry, the exact conditions for much of the flu season. (cont.)

...And more on those California Fires

Here's another website to visit:
http://www.calfires.com/

I heard some law firms and universities are shut down in the San Diego and Orange County areas.

California fires

http://www.211sandiego.org/

This page links to a number of resources in San Diego and to the fire alerts. In the bottom right, there are links to maps; as of a few minutes ago, only the links for KPBS and LA Times were working.

http://www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2007/news/wildfires/index.html

This page links to the CNN special area for the continuing coverage of the California wild fires.

Weather

It is absolutely beautiful today. Fall has finally arrived in Dallas.

DFW Climate

Curious about the rainfall and temperature averages for the Dallas/Ft. Worth Metroplex area? Go to http://www.srh.noaa.gov/fwd/CLIMO/dfw/dfwclimo.html and browse various charts on daily/monthly/yearly amounts.