Southern California is Burning

The smell of smoke is really revolting as it has been in our nostrils for two days. The brown haze is on all the horizons and people losing their homes by the hundreds now. The reports are not good as the high winds are fanning the flames through the end of the day today carrying embers miles and miles.  Really no safe place with hills and brush right now until the winds go away. Fire fighters don't know where to draw lines because the direction could change quickly.  Up near where my daughter and grand children live (they have been evacuated) the fire is so hot the pine trees are exploding as all the moisture is drawn out instantanly.  I heard a report the Chargers may play their 'home" game in Arizona this week.  San Diego county has been hit really hard.  This time of year is always horrible but this year the fires all started nearer to structures than ever.  Many are because of arson.  Could have been worse as we actually had about an 1.5 inches of rain this month.

So very sorry for all southern Californians.  I can only imagine what a nightmare it would be to be told you have to leave your home because it is going to burn to the ground just a few hours from now.  My heart goes out to all of those affected.

We had our own problems with wildfires in the Georgia/Florida area this year.  Not nearly as bad by all accounts.  Wish you guys the best of luck.

Edited by Slartibartfast - October 23 2007 at 14:29

Jim Garten wrote: Brian - I thought you & Dan were in the north of the State; all OK, buddy?

It's really unfortunate that these fires happen so frequently out west, I can only offer my thoughts and wishes to all affected. Let's hope that the brave men and women working to bring the the fires under control can do so succesfully.

Greg W wrote: Correct me if I'm wrong, but I have heard the environmental laws were so strict, that they wouldn't even allow people to come in there and cut out the dead rotting trees, citing that we would upset the animals there. In such a hot and dry climate, that seems like one is inviting disaster.

Isn't that ironic?  That move certainly killed more wildlife than it saved.  Thanks, enviro-terrorists!


Edited by rileydog22 - October 23 2007 at 20:30

My sincere sympathy, Brian, to you, yours, and all those affected by this terrifying disaster.

Greg W wrote: rileydog22 wrote: Greg W wrote: Correct me if I'm wrong, but I have heard the environmental laws were so strict, that they wouldn't even allow people to come in there and cut out the dead rotting trees, citing that we would upset the animals there. In such a hot and dry climate, that seems like one is inviting disaster. Isn't that ironic?  That move certainly killed more wildlife than it saved.  Thanks, enviro-terrorists!   Well keep in mind, arson is expected. The high winds certainly have more to do with it more than dry rotting wood as well, but still, I'm sure dead wood contributes to the problem at hand.

I will have to correct you because you're wrong.  They are having a drought.  Whoever or however the fires started, they are being spread and fed by a phenomena sort of like a dry hurricane, which spreads embers and fire.

If they'd just get rid of all the trees and houses they'd be just fine.

Slartibartfast wrote: Greg W wrote: rileydog22 wrote: Greg W wrote: Correct me if I'm wrong, but I have heard the environmental laws were so strict, that they wouldn't even allow people to come in there and cut out the dead rotting trees, citing that we would upset the animals there. In such a hot and dry climate, that seems like one is inviting disaster. Isn't that ironic?  That move certainly killed more wildlife than it saved.  Thanks, enviro-terrorists!   Well keep in mind, arson is expected. The high winds certainly have more to do with it more than dry rotting wood as well, but still, I'm sure dead wood contributes to the problem at hand. I will have to correct you because you're wrong.  They are having a drought.  Whoever or however the fires started, they are being spread and fed by a phenomena sort of like a dry hurricane, which spreads embers and fire. If they'd just get rid of all the trees and houses they'd be just fine.

Edited by Peter - October 23 2007 at 21:21

Peter wrote: Slartibartfast wrote: Greg W wrote: rileydog22 wrote: Greg W wrote: Correct me if I'm wrong, but I have heard the environmental laws were so strict, that they wouldn't even allow people to come in there and cut out the dead rotting trees, citing that we would upset the animals there. In such a hot and dry climate, that seems like one is inviting disaster. Isn't that ironic?  That move certainly killed more wildlife than it saved.  Thanks, enviro-terrorists!   Well keep in mind, arson is expected. The high winds certainly have more to do with it more than dry rotting wood as well, but still, I'm sure dead wood contributes to the problem at hand. I will have to correct you because you're wrong.  They are having a drought.  Whoever or however the fires started, they are being spread and fed by a phenomena sort of like a dry hurricane, which spreads embers and fire. If they'd just get rid of all the trees and houses they'd be just fine. Not to deny that drought is a major factor in this case, Slart (when we get less snow here in the winter, fire season starts earlier, and is worse), but according to what I've read, dry, dead wood (deadfall) left to accumulate on the forest floor certainly can make these fires more likely, and worse.   Forest fires existed long before we came along (as long as there have been trees, and lightning). But modern man started to "manage" forests, and the old traditions of harvesting fallen wood are suddenly not allowed. It piles up. Native Americans frequently burnt areas to clear land for farming and even easier hunting, but that wise & useful tradition is gone too. (Again, deadfall piles up.) Finally, a MAJOR contributing factor is the way we seek to quickly extinguish ALL fires (remember, they are a natural phenomenon), so instead of periodic, smaller, localized fires (which, BTW, would not only clear out dead wood, but also re-vitalize some areas, creating richer soil via the ash, and a natural habitat for light-loving berry bushes and creatures like deer, which feed on the new growth), we now get less frequent, but HUGE fires.   The authorities pretty much HAVE to put out all fires because, well, we humans insist on moving into the forest (much like we love our riverside properties -- which are all very nice & scenic until the river floods, as it always has).   No easy solution, I'm afraid. There's just too damn many of us living in nature's back yard.

Very thoughtful post. 

Here in the Georgia/Florida area we've been having drought and wildfire problems this season.  In other seasons, hurricanes.  But to my memory the wildfires around here are a recent problem.  I've lived here since '72 and this is the first year smoke from distant wildfires ever saturated the area.  They haven't affected houses to the extent that Califonia has been hit.


Edited by Slartibartfast - October 23 2007 at 21:52