  This short paper reviews several recent key observations of the processes
occurring in the lower atmosphere (chromosphere and photosphere) during flares.
These are: evidence for compact and fragmentary structure in the flare
chromosphere, the conditions in optical flare footpoints, step-like variations
in the magnetic field during the flare impulsive phase, and hot, dense
'chromospheric' footpoints. The implications of these observations for
microwaves are also discussed.
