WRITER UNCONCERNED W/RICH ATHLETES FLEEING FIRE: With wildfires raging all around San Diego, you’ll be happy to know that Phil Mickelson’s family made it safely to their beach house. But a Portland columnist isn’t so concerned:

Ryan White of the OREGONIAN takes issue with sports news outlets devoting front-page space to wealthy athletes during times of trouble, while others less fortunate are suffering just as much, if not more.White was particularly irked by ESPN, as the Worldwide Leader slapped the Mickelson beach house saga on their main web page, along with the other stories about the wildfire situation.

“If the fire wins, he won’t have any trouble rebuilding. He and his family didn’t have to retreat to Qualcomm Stadium and sleep in the concourse.”

White says he has no qualms with Mickelson in particular, but questions if rich athletes deserve more sympathy for losing their mansions than other less wealthy victims losing their entire livelihoods.”When it comes to stories of personal loss, sometimes it’s best to let the story and the pictures play out without reference to the super-millionaires who perform for our entertainment. It’s not that they matter less, but in times like these they also don’t matter more.”