LA Fires: Jan 2025

[jamesdeluxe]

California fires happen frequently and there have been other discussions here about those affecting ski areas. Since this event is hitting the state's biggest metro region, I'll start a separate thread.

I've been reading coverage from several sources (but not the LA Times, which is still paywalling its fire content). As always in a blue state, the NY Post's "flamethrowing" articles are the most confrontational, taking shots at Dem leaders for corruption and mismanagement, Governor Newsom for blaming locals, Mayor Bass for flying off to Africa despite forecasts of inferno-friendly weather conditions, along with a reminder of gazillionaire podcaster Joe Rogan's predictions of fires that run through LA to the ocean years ago, and more in coming days, I'm sure.

Any opinions about where to assign blame other than the Santa Anas or is this just the price of admission to live in certain parts of the Golden State (there's really nothing that can be done differently)? As my mother would say, "you can have it!"

 

[jimk]

Too many people living on hot, dry hillsides. A lot of movie stars and celebrities disrupted this time.

 

[Tony Crocker]

I’m at Mammoth will be home tomorrow.

At least 90% Santa Ana’s. 0% climate change. 0% state water fire/policy, which is fair game for discussion of fires in NorCal forests.

NY Post article says LA City has. 114 water storage tanks and that the 3 in Palisades were exhausted after 15 hours, as was whatever served Altadena. These are obviously dedicated tanks at elevation to maintain water pressure. It’s Monday morning quarterbacking to say there should have been more of them.

Dumb or scandalous behavior by local officials make good press but I’m not sure are relevant to the fires or the water supply.

 

[Tony Crocker]

I have a lot of LA weather data/info and I’ll get around to posting some of that after I get home

 

[ChrisC]

Generally northern California gets enough rain to limits it fire window.

South Florida is a mess that has not been triggered in 10-15 years. The desirable neighborhoods of Brickell, weest Miami Beach and Fort Lauderdale canals - flood yearly due to lunar tides. Seriously.

There is definitely a major (maybe only cat 3) to wipeout Southb Frlorida expensive areas.

My partner has a beach place in Naples - they are paying to exist. Buy lots took $3 m buyout for Miami type towers.

Whats more troublesome is crypto is back?! Miami coin, Trump coin…..
The city is just cringe. I think I want to sell my place to a crypto prick.

 

[tseeb]

Just heard on CNN that fire damage cost may be $20B. And some homeowners were recently dropped from insurance and had not been able to replace it.