CA - Pacific Palisades - 30,000 People Ordered to Evacuate From L.A. Wildfires

[Warwick1991]

In a relative's home in Orange County, decades ago the wooden shingle roofs were replaced by concrete tiles. The problem is that the concrete tiles are so heavy, some wood frame roofs have to be reinforced to take them. They also become very brittle year after year in heat and anyone walking on them will fracture the tiles, which leaves a place where embers could rest. Tradespeople like painters, gutter cleaners, some pest removal people end up walking on the brittle concrete shingles. They also are terrible in summer because they absorb heat and radiate the heat down at night, forcing more use of air conditioning.

Also, if one home in a development has not replaced their wooden shingles, everyone else's home is at extremely high risk. If the homeowner does not remove the wooden shingles, the HOA has to try to take legal action against them to get it replaced and that can take a decade of legal wrangling. In my experience, having a homeowner who claims they cannot afford to replace or repair a roof creates an indignant homeowner who will also refuse to pay dues, clean up their yard, or (maybe intentionally) rents to disruptive tenants. Expenses pile up on both sides and no one wins.

I'd guess that many of the apartments and condos, or HOA's in Pacific Palisades and Altadena are up to 40 years old and retrofitting these older residence is very costly.

I would agree that retrofitting for fire resistant roofing is much more of a problem than most realize. When concrete roof tiles are used in a new building, the trusses or rafters are designed for the weight, but houses in Orange County and Los Angeles County were built using extremely minimal roof loads. I think such retrofitting is beyond the means of most, just as seismic retrofitting is beyond the means of many building owners. As far as brittleness goes, the most brittle concrete shingles are fiber cement roof shingles, a problematic product. Sturdier concrete tiles are used in Florida, and they are not nearly as brittle. But all of these materials have their disadvantages. Metal roofing is light and is a good solution for fire resistance.

These things are relevant to what's going on, because communities will have to rebuild, and they should make conscious decisions about how to rebuild.

 

[JennieM]

Wow, I had moments of panic. About an hour ago, I got an alert on my phone: an evacuation warning. Caught me totally off guard, as I am not that close to the Eaton fire, which was the nearest one I knew of. But, a few minutes later, a second alert said to disregard the prior evacuation message. It was sent in error.
Whew!!

So I had a taste of how all those people that did have to evacuate for real felt when they got the word to GO.

Urgent alert to evacuate mistakenly sent to phones in LA​

Christal Hayes
Reporting from Los Angeles

Los Angeles just sent an alarming alert to everyone with a cell phone in the county. It said there is an emergency in your area and it included an evacuation warning.

The alert, which sent a blaring siren noise to millions across the county, was sent mistakenly, an official said.

Shortly after the alert, a correction was sent to phones. Janice Hahn, from the LA County Board of Supervisors, said on X that she had been informed the evacuation warning was "mistakenly issued countywide due to a technical error" and a correction would be issued.

It was the first time many of us in Los Angeles had received such an alert to our phones from these fires. These alerts are often sent when there is a severe weather alert or a missing person.

Many friends and family texted me asking if another fire had sparked. Some went to fire apps and official websites worried that another blaze had flared up.

California's fire death toll doubles as chaos grips LA

Ten deaths have been confirmed so far in the Los Angeles fires, which have been fanned by powerful winds.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[slowpoke]

Chaos sparked in LA County as millions are wrongly told to evacuate

Los Angeles County was falsely told to evacuate Thursday evening after a mass notification was sent out to residents as wild fires rage on in the area.

www.dailymail.co.uk

Yes, this is the message I received!

 

[iamshadow21]

Almost 800 incarcerated firefighters are now working to control these fires. <3

Biden sends federal resources to battle blazes – as it happened

This blog has now closed. Our new live blog is here and you can read our full report on the Californian blazes here.

www.theguardian.com

 

[JennieM]

FEMA will help organise temporary schools​

Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) administrator Deanne Criswell outlines how people impacted by the fire can get assistance and access resources they might need.

She says there will be temporary schools, which FEMA will help organise.

"We know recovery is complicated... we know this recovery is complicated, but it is doable," Criswell says.

California's fire death toll doubles as chaos grips LA

Ten deaths have been confirmed so far in the Los Angeles fires, which have been fanned by powerful winds.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[JennieM]

If told to evacuate then get the hell out, says Senator Schiff​

California Senator Adam Schiff says Los Angeles may yet see more fires.

"We are not through this by any means," he says. "We keep seeing these fires pop up in different places. We may see more before this is over.

"If you're told to evacuate then get the hell out. You might think you can outrun a fire. You are not going to outrun these fires.

"The way they are moving, the unpredictably, the swiftness with how they're moving. If you stay, you're going to die in them."

He adds that, even once the fires are out, there will remain a risk that rains will trigger mudslides.

California's fire death toll doubles as chaos grips LA

Ten deaths have been confirmed so far in the Los Angeles fires, which have been fanned by powerful winds.

www.bbc.co.uk

 

[JennieM]

30m ago
An aircraft fighting the Palisades fire was hit by a drone on Thursday, according to the Federal Aviation Administration. LAFD fire chief Anthony Marrone told the Los Angeles Times that the “super scooper” – which can “scoop” water from nearby lakes and oceans to fight fires – was damaged, althgouh the plane landed safely.

He added that the FBI is planning to install “aerial armor” to prevent future drones from entering the firefighting zone.

“It’s a federal crime, punishable by up to 12 months in prison, to interfere with firefighting efforts on public lands,” the FAA said in a statement. “Additionally, the FAA can impose a civil penalty of up to $75,000 against any drone pilot who interferes with wildfire suppression, law enforcement or emergency response operations” during a temporary flight restriction.

Biden sends federal resources to battle blazes – as it happened

This blog has now closed. Our new live blog is here and you can read our full report on the Californian blazes here.

www.theguardian.com

 

[Herat]

I would agree that retrofitting for fire resistant roofing is much more of a problem than most realize. When concrete roof tiles are used in a new building, the trusses or rafters are designed for the weight, but houses in Orange County and Los Angeles County were built using extremely minimal roof loads. I think such retrofitting is beyond the means of most, just as seismic retrofitting is beyond the means of many building owners. As far as brittleness goes, the most brittle concrete shingles are fiber cement roof shingles, a problematic product. Sturdier concrete tiles are used in Florida, and they are not nearly as brittle. But all of these materials have their disadvantages. Metal roofing is light and is a good solution for fire resistance.

These things are relevant to what's going on, because communities will have to rebuild, and they should make conscious decisions about how to rebuild.

This is marvellous information. I think metal roofs are wonderful. Those concrete roof tiles that are 40 years old are so brittle they are like dried biscuits and crumble with a foot placement.

 

[JennieM]

2h ago
Public health officials are urging Angelenos to avoid all contact with ocean water, according to a statement issued on Thursday.

The county public health department “advises beach users to avoid all water contact, especially near discharging storm drains, creeks, and rivers due to potential debris from fires and contamination”.

The advisory is expected to remain in effect until three days after firefighting efforts cease to lower the risk of exposure to potentially toxic chemicals and debris washed into the Pacific.

Biden sends federal resources to battle blazes – as it happened

This blog has now closed. Our new live blog is here and you can read our full report on the Californian blazes here.

www.theguardian.com

 

[Izzylizzy]

Is it just me that finds words like Mayor Bass said like 'we'll build back better than ever" empty, flippant, insensitive and offensive?
To me this is the last thing that should be said during this devastation and suffering that's beyond comprehension.

 

[Boxer]

I've been reading this whole thread looking for anything about how these fires actually started, because that was something I didn't know. I think I understand how they spread, especially right now with these high winds and the embers, but I never knew how they started.

So I wonder what they mean, "started accidentally in someone's back yard"? AFAIK, people don't burn their trash in their yards round there, so maybe a grilling accident?

I know I've seen arson is suspected in at least one fire. And I thought that sometimes the power companies will shut off the electricity because there's a risk of that catching fire, but I think that's only if there is already something on fire. I know lightning strikes can start a fire, especially when it's very dry. So do they know how this all got started initially?

Just looked at 1190 Piedra Morada
It has a pool, and looks like pool house with an outdoor bar and grill. House backs up on open land. A sailing grill ember or dunping coals would do it.

 

[MsMarple]

Okay, so far granddaughter remains safe. Her ex boyfriend is now in the apartment with her and her roommate as his parents traveled to Virginia. The three have an escape plan to go to the roommate’s parents in Santa Barbara or else come up here to us in Washington.

My main concern now is air quality. They have masks but I don’t know how much they’re using them.

 

[Herat]

Angelenos urged to avoid all contact with ocean water.

LISTING OF DEPARTMENT OF PUBLIC HEALTH PRESS RELEASES

publichealth.lacounty.gov

2h ago
Public health officials are urging Angelenos to avoid all contact with ocean water, according to a statement issued on Thursday.

The county public health department “advises beach users to avoid all water contact, especially near discharging storm drains, creeks, and rivers due to potential debris from fires and contamination”.

The advisory is expected to remain in effect until three days after firefighting efforts cease to lower the risk of exposure to potentially toxic chemicals and debris washed into the Pacific.

Biden sends federal resources to battle blazes – as it happened

This blog has now closed. Our new live blog is here and you can read our full report on the Californian blazes here.

www.theguardian.com

They are leaving Angelinos with nothing to do but drink.

 

[SouthAussie]

This is marvellous information. I think metal roofs are wonderful. Those concrete roof tiles that are 40 years old are so brittle they are like dried biscuits and crumble with a foot placement.

Depends how thick they are. Many/most Aussie homes have concrete roof tiles. Some have metal roofs.
My place is more than 50 years old and I have yet to have a cracked or crumbling roof tile. I have had many people on my roof over time ... servicing the rooftop a/c unit, clearing gutters, even had the roof repainted 2 years ago by painters on the roof.

Our concrete tiles actually get stronger with age.

Concrete tiles are the most economical roofing material on the market. Just like concrete bridges and the structural elements of buildings, concrete tiles get stronger with age. Concrete tiles are tested to withstand the harsh Australian weather ....

Concrete Roof Tiles | Monier Roofing

Check out our complete range of concrete roof tiles. Economical, durable and a wide range of colours and profiles. See why they're the right choice for your home.

www.monier.com.au

 

[Izzylizzy]

Mel Gibson was up next.
His home is completely gone but thankfully his chicken's survived.

 

[Herat]

Just looked at 1190 Piedra Morada
It has a pool, and looks like pool house with an outdoor bar and grill. House backs up on open land. A sailing grill ember or dunping coals would do it.

This was reported at 10:30 am so I don't really think it was an outdoor grill. I honestly don't think people in that house would regularly dumps coals, like over the fence or something, but anything is possible.

I have a feeling that LAFD investigators have a good idea of what the "accident" was.

 

[mickey2942]

Take a deep breath and have a nice glass of water. That would certainly be terrifying.

But, boil the water first, sounds like many places are under watch regarding the safety of the water in many areas right now.

Unsafe water advisory issued as Eaton and Palisades fires affect water supply

Only bottled water should be used in the area of the Eaton fire. In the Palisades fire area, water can be boiled.

www.pasadenastarnews.com

 

[mickey2942]

This was reported at 10:30 am so I don't really think it was an outdoor grill. I honestly don't think people in that house would regularly dumps coals, like over the fence or something, but anything is possible.

I have a feeling that LAFD investigators have a good idea of what the "accident" was.

It wouldn't surprise me if it was due to some unhoused. There are many in the area, lightning fires for warmth, cooking. There have been several fires caused by this issue.

After back-to-back fires at homeless encampments, Minneapolis firefighters concerned city could see more

Minneapolis firefighters say fires in homeless encampments are often caused by open fires and propane tanks that aren't used properly.

www.kare11.com

 

[iamshadow21]

LA County is now on a 6pm to 6am curfew.

The LA unified school district is doubling the amount of food distribution centres to supply school meals to kids.

California fires live updates: at least six deaths as Los Angeles wildfires rage

Kenneth fire erupts and grows quickly, while officials say thousands of structures destroyed in Palisades and Eaton fires

www.theguardian.com

 

[Boxer]

This was reported at 10:30 am so I don't really think it was an outdoor grill. I honestly don't think people in that house would regularly dumps coals, like over the fence or something, but anything is possible.

I have a feeling that LAFD investigators have a good idea of what the "accident" was.

What accident of spark or flame at 10:30 am. Smoking is all I can think of.