[Serious] SoCal Disaster Updates

If you build in a disaster prone area, disasters tend to happen. Idaho had a single fire this summer that was over 600,000 acres in size, one of the largest fires ever, but it burned nothing but a few range cabins and a bunch of cows (mmmmmm barbequed beef).

We have towns that are certainly prone to fires. One in particular has dodged a major fire both of the last two years. Interestingly, the amount that the Forest Service spent on combating the fire the first year was higher than the total value of all the structures in that tiny town. Basically, it would have been cheaper to tell everybody to pack up and get out and build them new houses when the fire left.

CA has fires every year just like we do. Deal with it by not building in those areas that are dangerous, or covering it with insurance. The result of this, as it is in FL is that insurance rates will skyrocket or the insurance companies will leave the state (both have happened in FL in the last couple years). The government shouldn't be on the hook to bail out those who build in bad areas. If private insurance won't do it, then only those who can afford to take the risk should be allowed to build there. This should be true of flood prone areas, fire areas, and hurricane areas.

The serious tag was added to ensure it stay on a serious nature. I wouldnt think it was a world event and needing moving.

These are all issues we are dealing with now and for things to come. So those comments would be considered on-topic IMO.

Basically the govt is doing too little IMO. they will wait until its being forced under their nose that they will take more constructive action instead of a reactive reaction.

Isn't that the way of governments anyways? To react late to any given disaster. Any entity that is defined by legislation can never be fast enough to react to uncontrolled events.

Well Bush had plenty of time to sign the declaration declaring so cal a disaster area, which he just signed a few hours ago.

Bush just wants everyone to die...

Edit:
Sorry for the harshness.
Forgot it was serious :rolleyes:

Looks like the temperatures will be dropping to the mid 80's by this weekend.
Winds should be dying tomorrow.

Hopefully they will then be able to better fight the fires.

If you'd produce more smog - the cityscape alone could smother most of them. ;)

In seriousness, I'll be sure to remember TPM, dc and rob tonight. Good luck.

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Originally Posted by mendhak

Isn't that the way of governments anyways? To react late to any given disaster. Any entity that is defined by legislation can never be fast enough to react to uncontrolled events.

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Since all people really want is the cash handouts from the federal government,so they don't have to be responsible for their own losses, its not typically something that needs to be promptly attended to.

Now, if the US federal government had an arsenal of fire trucks and 10,000 firefighters ready to be air-dropped to any place in need, then yes, perhaps that would lead to prompt action.

FEMA will show up, hand out a few brochures and some water bottles, and in a few months, they will write out a bazillion checks to anyone that breathes their way.

Just a thought that crossed my mind, didn't one of you say they found proof of arson?

If so, don't you wonder if some of these fires were started on purpose because of the housing market the way it is? Should be easy to find the culprits. If it does turn out to be arson and that was the motivation... Their punishment should be no less than castration by fire.

Also, they shouldn't be protected by civil law anymore. Meaning, if you see them - you are within your legal right to beat the crap out of them. Then to make back some of the lost tax dollars spent for reconstruction... They have to wear ankle trackers. And for $39.95 a month, you can subscribe to their signal on your GPS device. Whether you want to just go watch them get tossed around or take part in the action - you can find it 24/7.

Well only one areas fire was definately arson and proved. But the other 13 fires are from various sources like downed powerlines from the wind etc.

That would be a good way to get out of a house loan that is overloaned to value ratio.

This may seem mean, but i am with sevenhalo... they should be tossed in the fire or something. They should not get it easy with a life sentence in prison.

It has starts snowing ask in San Bernardino yesterday, nothing here Orange yet. The smoke blew over us, then the wind changed direction and is back over us again.

So it's a repeat of the Greek fires from a few months ago. Housing market, land prices, and all that.

[Personal Opinion]
I'd like to follow this thread without seeing any reference to any politics
[/Personal Opinion]

I appreciate the commentry by dclamp and Rob - the rest not so much - new thread perhaps.

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Originally Posted by nemaroller

Now, if the US federal government had an arsenal of fire trucks and 10,000 firefighters ready to be air-dropped to any place in need, then yes, perhaps that would lead to prompt action.

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The dirty little secret to fighting wildfires is that people never put them out. In some circumstances, a fire line can be built, and the conditions will be such that the fire won't cross the line, but any line can be crossed with high winds. Burning trees can be thrown hundreds of feet ahead of a fire, and no fire line will be wide enough for that.

Almost every fire is put out by forces of nature. Through a combination of huge effort and good luck, a fire might get contained so that it doesn't spread further, and burn itself out, but CA doesn't have the luck (because of the wind), and no reasonable amount of effort will be sufficient without it.

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Originally Posted by Shaggy Hiker

The dirty little secret to fighting wildfires is that people never put them out.

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Well, I will readily admit, I have no idea on how to fight a wild fire :) On the flip side, I had to stay at work until 10pm last night implementing functionality on our California site to allow people to deep link into available lease listings.

So, I too have been affected :cry:

Another fire was determined as arsen. They actually caught the guy when trying to ask him some questions. He took off and crashed his truck.

So I think its 2 of the major fires are definate arsen and one caused from downed powerlines from the high winds.

It's mother nature's way of cleansing its planet... in the case of New Orleans, it was just stupid planning...

Not if Mother Nature is a human being setting fires. :p

My school district has canceled all extracurricular activities until Sunday, and those include:

• Homecoming Assembly
• Homecoming Football Game
• Homecoming Dance

So it sucks for all the people who have limo, dinner, hair, etc reservations, since homecoming is canceled.

Also, on my way home from school, there was one of those water helicoppters flying over my school. There is a lake like 2 minutes from my house that they possibly got water from.

They were pulling water from community swimming pools and anywhere else they could a few days ago.

All those 3 things you werent going to :D

Not sure if they have a home game but if they did this sundays Chargers football game will be moved or canceled.

My first thought after hearing about the wildfires, is maybe I should buy some shares in Lowes. Is that bad?

No, but all the construction industry will be booming trying to cash in on all the insurance claims for rebuilding and low interest rate govt loans. Allot of fraud will be coming out of the woodwork too.

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Originally Posted by RobDog888

No, but all the construction industry will be booming trying to cash in on all the insurance claims for rebuilding and low interest rate govt loans. Allot of fraud will be coming out of the woodwork too.

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Is Lowes the only construction industry stock? Or are all these construction companies small or medium sized private companies?

Lowes and Home Depot are the two largest retailers of home improvement materials but construction companies, contractors and independant workeers make up the mix. The latter being the most fraudulent.

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Originally Posted by RobDog888

Lowes and Home Depot are the two largest retailers of home improvement materials but construction companies, contractors and independant workeers make up the mix. The latter being the most fraudulent.

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Do these private contracting companies buy their materials from Lowes and Home depot? Or do they buy from a wholesaler?

haha yeah your right, i didnt go to any of those. well the assembly was supposed to be today, and the whole school goes to them, but they were canceled.. :(

Both. Lowes and HD are for both commercial and private citizen purchases. Then you have the contractors that buy from other smaller materials warehouses and commercial companies too. Basically where ever they can get it and at the best cost for the effort.

or you could delete my post :p


anywho, the smoke today was terrible. It hurt my eyes, and you could not see the sky. PE was canceled today as well, so i worked on my Biology homework :) I could have watched Happy Feet though

Things are on topic.

Biology homework? Please stay on topic

Please? what is this? stay on topic please or i will tell on you :)

It was not as hot today. How bout in la?

Its true, you do know to ruin a thread.

Well since the fires seem to be getting under control, Im out of this thread.

good job, you jinxed it! now they are all going to flair up....

the smoke cleared up today. Hopefully it will be alot better by monday :)