Fires in Los Angeles

[bricol]

News reports are saying that brush control was stopped years ago by the greenies.....

And reservoirs kept low or empty to save a fish . . . which died anyway.

Just been reading about the Getty museum - cleared brush, trimmed trees etc back to create a fire break of sorts, crushed stone on the roof, water on site.

When they realised it was heading their way, they watered everything in sight. As it got closer, shut off the air con and all air inlets.

And with a bit of luck, they are okay.

 

[Dilkris]

Yes and we mustn't forget recent floods and loss here in the UK, smaller scale maybe, sorrow as great for those affected however it arrives.

That's a fair comment - I wonder what the cumulative total of all the insurance claims for flood damage and associated loss comes to when compared to "Mark 5's" quoted estimate above?

 

[Morrisman]

And reservoirs kept low or empty to save a fish . . . which died anyway.

Just been reading about the Getty museum - cleared brush, trimmed trees etc back to create a fire break of sorts, crushed stone on the roof, water on site.

When they realised it was heading their way, they watered everything in sight. As it got closer, shut off the air con and all air inlets.

And with a bit of luck, they are okay.

How years of corruption and mismanagement led to LA running out of water in the middle of the Palisades wildfire

The water shortage was the result of years of mismanagement of LA’s water system — including a federal indictment of a leader and high profile resignations — as well as major operational prob…

nypost.com

 

[Smallfry]

News reports are saying that brush control was stopped years ago by the greenies.....

While I am all for preserving and helping the wildlife and habitat, that seems rather stupid. Thankfully the greenies have not gained too much traction here. Yet.

Here it would be because of Local Authority "savings". Around here, roadside verges were regularly cut a couple of times a year, but I notice that this is now not getting done, and signs have gone up instead, stating that it is to preserve habitat, which is good in one way, but its really about the money.

 

[Nomad]

Authorities are now investigating possibility of arson.

Fire started in several areas around the same time (suggesting the cause was deliberate not accidental)
Water bomber planes (2) taken out of service after hitting drones
Arsonist arrested while trying to start a fire days after the main fires
This site has a very good and clear timeline:

California Wildfire Live Updates: Death Toll Rises To 10 As Police Arrest Arson Suspect Near Kenneth Fire

Officials warned gusty winds and low humidity could continue spreading the fires through Friday.

www.forbes.com

Looting. Several arrests have been made for looting in the evacuated areas, unconfirmed reports say gangs are setting more fires to cover their activities
https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2025-01-09/looting-arrests-wildfire-evacuation-zones

Similar fires in the same area in 2021 were confirmed at the time as being arson
https://abcnews.go.com/US/suspected...y-wildland-fire-threatening/story?id=77720527

We live in a crazy world !

I'll stop there as the other reports would bend (explode) several forum guidelines.

 

[Ian X]

Reports are saying there was no water in the hydrants for the fire fighters, videos in twitter/X look like something out of the movies

https://twitter.com/x/status/1876901504327508292

Govenor refused to sign a declaration that would bring water into the area - to protect a local fish !

https://twitter.com/x/status/1877036020081803468

Firefighters resort to using womens handbags to carry water

https://twitter.com/x/status/1877335817254850829

Malibu waterfront has been destroyed

https://twitter.com/x/status/1877291751968329944

If anyone wants more links drop me a PM, there are plenty more but they often include topics I'd not want to put here in case I end up on the forum naughty step

The last two accounts are run by the russian FSB, no, I am not joking, and yes, I vouch the first statement I made is true.

 

[Morris]

We drove down the Pacific Coast Highway on the coastal side of Pacific Palisades in September '23. A lovely part of the world, we stayed in Santa Monica for a couple of days.
Unbelievable to see the devastation.

A lot of misinformation coming from people because "libruls". Things like running out of water. No, but reduced pressure as the firefighters got further up the hills was (is) an issue.
Brush clearance is the responsibility of the land owners, guess what, most don't bother.
There's a thread on Piston heads with a guy who lives there, he's put a few straight.
And yes, you can get insurance.

 

[addjunkie]

We drove down the Pacific Coast Highway on the coastal side of Pacific Palisades in September '23. A lovely part of the world, we stayed in Santa Monica for a couple of days.
Unbelievable to see the devastation.

And yes, you can get insurance.

And yes, you can could get insurance.

I agree it was a lovely part of the world, especially further North. LA a bit busy for my tastes.

 

[Morris]

And yes, you can could get insurance.

I agree it was a lovely part of the world, especially further North. LA a bit busy for my tastes.

Guy lives there. Take it up with him.

"Yes, some large insurers have pulled out of California. But this is also true of some parts of Oregon, Florida and so on. They dont want the risk and just refuse coverage. This is a separate issue.

When an insurer pulls coverage, they MUST see out the period of the contract. They can refuse to renew, thats OK, but they dont just pull coverage there and then. So these stories that State Farm pulled insurance 4 weeks ago arent true - they just refused to cover at renewal time, which will be different for each house.

California does have an insurer of last resort, called Fair Plan. Its not Fair and its not cheap, but it does cover fire and earthquake damage. I am insured with them and its expensive, but I am required to do so (I have a mortgage). I have a separate house policy thats a fraction of this for injury, theft etc.

Are there people with no coverage? Yes, I am sure they are. If they have a mortgage they will have coverage. If their coverage at renewal got pulled, they are covered now and will have to get something else when needed. Is there uninsured loss? Absolutely.

It is disappointing that this type of stuff gets thrown around without context and detail - by the news outlets and social media (not your post - I dont mean you). Bad news sells. Disasters are great for click throughs. Kicking California is a way of life for some."

 

[addjunkie]

Guy lives there. Take it up with him.

"Yes, some large insurers have pulled out of California. But this is also true of some parts of Oregon, Florida and so on. They dont want the risk and just refuse coverage. This is a separate issue.

When an insurer pulls coverage, they MUST see out the period of the contract. They can refuse to renew, thats OK, but they dont just pull coverage there and then. So these stories that State Farm pulled insurance 4 weeks ago arent true - they just refused to cover at renewal time, which will be different for each house.

California does have an insurer of last resort, called Fair Plan. Its not Fair and its not cheap, but it does cover fire and earthquake damage. I am insured with them and its expensive, but I am required to do so (I have a mortgage). I have a separate house policy thats a fraction of this for injury, theft etc.

Are there people with no coverage? Yes, I am sure they are. If they have a mortgage they will have coverage. If their coverage at renewal got pulled, they are covered now and will have to get something else when needed. Is there uninsured loss? Absolutely.

It is disappointing that this type of stuff gets thrown around without context and detail - by the news outlets and social media (not your post - I dont mean you). Bad news sells. Disasters are great for click throughs. Kicking California is a way of life for some."

Similar situation here with the properties that flood regularly. Yes we cover you, but the xs will be so high for flood, or fire in this case, itll make folk take business elsewhere if they can.

You are right though, its rare there is anything positive and good in the news as it doesn’t sell!

 

[Kram]

On news it said the first fire originated in a back garden then rapidly spread, causing the other fires. It seems they know exactly where it started, pinpointed on map, and who, so unlikely it was arson.

Karma will always catch up and the US has a lot to answer for, arson or terrorism wouldnt suprise me.

Price of timber will be going up in the near future.

 

[Farside]

Price of timber will be going up in the near future.

They'll get a lot of that cheap from Canada...
... oh, wait, tarriffs.

 

[500e]

Like Gaza without bombs

 

[Ian X]

Guy lives there. Take it up with him.

"Yes, some large insurers have pulled out of California. But this is also true of some parts of Oregon, Florida and so on. They dont want the risk and just refuse coverage. This is a separate issue.

When an insurer pulls coverage, they MUST see out the period of the contract. They can refuse to renew, thats OK, but they dont just pull coverage there and then. So these stories that State Farm pulled insurance 4 weeks ago arent true - they just refused to cover at renewal time, which will be different for each house.

California does have an insurer of last resort, called Fair Plan. Its not Fair and its not cheap, but it does cover fire and earthquake damage. I am insured with them and its expensive, but I am required to do so (I have a mortgage). I have a separate house policy thats a fraction of this for injury, theft etc.

Are there people with no coverage? Yes, I am sure they are. If they have a mortgage they will have coverage. If their coverage at renewal got pulled, they are covered now and will have to get something else when needed. Is there uninsured loss? Absolutely.

It is disappointing that this type of stuff gets thrown around without context and detail - by the news outlets and social media (not your post - I dont mean you). Bad news sells. Disasters are great for click throughs. Kicking California is a way of life for some."

Thank you for putting the effort in, never cease.

 

[mcostello]

I live in Lancaster (the other one) Ohio and My house insurance will not be renewed, or so I was told. Far from the West Coast and the land of fruits and nuts.

 

[dave h 2]

Like Gaza without bombs

Jamie Lee Curtis got to that one first.

 

[Greeves246]

Just when you thought things couldn’t get worse

Prince Harry and Meghan hug residents in Pasadena

The couple live near Santa Barbara in the town of Montecito.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[Smallfry]

Just when you thought things couldn’t get worse

Prince Harry and Meghan hug residents in Pasadena

The couple live near Santa Barbara in the town of Montecito.

www.bbc.co.uk

What an absolutely fabulous photo and publicity opportunity. I'm sure the residents feel much better for it. FFS.

 

[brightspark]

aww how nice . not just what i would need if i lost my gaff and belongings

 

[Farside]

Some stunning architecture gone up, too.

https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/09/...e_code=1.ok4.xpuF.6P87KsEFM2TV&smid=url-share