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

[iamshadow21]

Three articles related to Altadena Community Church.

The first is paywalled, and I've been out of free reads on LATimes articles for days, but maybe someone with a subscription can hit the high notes.

They lost their Altadena church in the Eaton fire. They still gathered to worship

Members of Altadena Community Church had just learned their pastor, who has Parkinson's disease, was retiring. Then the Eaton fire burned the church to the ground.

www.latimes.com

This one is not paywalled, about the Montebello church taking in the congregation.

Their church gutted by Eaton fire, Altadena church’s flock finds welcome, solace in Montebello

Pastor and congregation agree: A church is much more than a burned building.

www.dailynews.com

The third is about the Pasadena Chorale, which before the fires used to gather together at ACC.

California fires: Pasadena Chorale continues rehearsing after Eaton Fire destroys longtime meeting place Altadena Community Church | abc7.com

The%20Pasadena%20Chorale%20is%20meeting%20at%20the%20Church%20of%20the%20Brethren%20in%20La%20Verne%20after%20the%20Eaton%20Fire%20destroyed%20the%20Altadena%20Community%20Church.

abc7.com

 

[katydid23]

I'm sadly gonna assume that doesn't count the unhoused.

Now if the current version of the fire makes it up over the ridge into Tarzana and Encino, it may eventually end up in the flat lands of San Fernando Valley and could encounter many unhoused victims.

 

[katydid23]

We are still kind of in limbo. So far the 4000 firefighters---literally four thousand plus boots on the ground---right here have held the fire back from crossing the fire line they created.

They dropped retardant, and the firefighters dug up the brush and used dozers to put the dirt on top and create a road that was not burnable---and they dropped water from the sky for 18 solid hours---to keep the flames down

So today they continued to do so and it is ALMOST out----but not quite---and they let it burn in some of the remote acres.

But TOMORROW the Santa Ana winds return to 60 to 90 mph.

SOOOOOOOO hopefully the fire is contained enough by then....but it is only 11% contained now.

We are still packed up and ready to go. We are on standby. But we've been on standby for 48 hours already----sooooo stressful.

We got our fingers crossed’: residents in limbo after LA fires force evacuations​

As wildfires burn through 40,000 acres, people return home for some belongings as they brace for new danger

‘We got our fingers crossed’: residents in limbo after LA fires force evacuations

As wildfires burn through 40,000 acres, people return home for some belongings as they brace for new danger

www.theguardian.com

Flames and smoke are seen near power lines as the Palisades fire grows near the Mandeville Canyon neighbourhood and Encino, California. Photo: Patrick T. Fallon / AFP

Firefighters were slowly making progress in their battle to contain the inferno that has razed swathes of Los Angeles' Pacific Palisades neighbourhood to the ground, but still-spreading flames threatened communities in the populous San Fernando Valley.

Aircraft dropped water and fire retardant on steep hills to stem the eastward spread of the Palisades Fire and KTLA television reported that ground crews had managed to save a number of houses, although others were lost.


The blazes have damaged or destroyed 12,000 structures, fire officials said. The flames have reduced whole neighbourhoods to smouldering ruins

Over the past 24 hours, the Palisades Fire spread over an additional 400 acres, consuming more homes, officials reported.

Cal Fire official Todd Hopkins said that while 11 percent of the Palisades Fire was now contained, it has burned more than 22,000 acres.

 

[iamshadow21]

We are still kind of in limbo. So far the 4000 firefighters---literally four thousand plus boots on the ground---right here have held the fire back from crossing the fire line they created.

They dropped retardant, and the firefighters dug up the brush and used dozers to put the dirt on top and create a road that was not burnable---and they dropped water from the sky for 18 solid hours---to keep the flames down

So today they continued to do so and it is ALMOST out----but not quite---and they let it burn in some of the remote acres.

But TOMORROW the Santa Ana winds return to 60 to 90 mph.

SOOOOOOOO hopefully the fire is contained enough by then....but it is only 11% contained now.

We are still packed up and ready to go. We are on standby. But we've been on standby for 48 hours already----sooooo stressful.

We got our fingers crossed’: residents in limbo after LA fires force evacuations​

As wildfires burn through 40,000 acres, people return home for some belongings as they brace for new danger

‘We got our fingers crossed’: residents in limbo after LA fires force evacuations

As wildfires burn through 40,000 acres, people return home for some belongings as they brace for new danger

www.theguardian.com

Yeah, I watched some clips of the efforts, they were intense. I know the winds dropped, but I think that monumental effort is the only reason it didn't get further. The landscape is just so great for fire and hostile for fighting it. I think the only way it could have been more difficult was if it was covered in mature, highly flammable trees that they couldn't just dig up with spades and hoes.

Whatever comes next, the effort put in and the multifaceted approach really made a huge difference in the last two days.

We're all thinking of you, and we are hoping that the weather is in your favour, not the fire's, in the coming days.

MOO

 

[Herat]

We are still kind of in limbo. So far the 4000 firefighters---literally four thousand plus boots on the ground---right here have held the fire back from crossing the fire line they created.

They dropped retardant, and the firefighters dug up the brush and used dozers to put the dirt on top and create a road that was not burnable---and they dropped water from the sky for 18 solid hours---to keep the flames down

So today they continued to do so and it is ALMOST out----but not quite---and they let it burn in some of the remote acres.

But TOMORROW the Santa Ana winds return to 60 to 90 mph.

SOOOOOOOO hopefully the fire is contained enough by then....but it is only 11% contained now.

We are still packed up and ready to go. We are on standby. But we've been on standby for 48 hours already----sooooo stressful.

We got our fingers crossed’: residents in limbo after LA fires force evacuations​

As wildfires burn through 40,000 acres, people return home for some belongings as they brace for new danger

‘We got our fingers crossed’: residents in limbo after LA fires force evacuations

As wildfires burn through 40,000 acres, people return home for some belongings as they brace for new danger

www.theguardian.com

We are thinking of you katydid23.

I've been monitoring Watch Duty postings and watching the live video from KTLA.

My impression is that the winds should be flowing away from San Fernando valley towards the ocean, much like the original winds. The wind would be blowing over the already burned area.

 

[katydid23]

We are thinking of you katydid23.

I've been monitoring Watch Duty postings and watching the live video from KTLA.

My impression is that the winds should be flowing away from San Fernando valley towards the ocean, much like the original winds. The wind would be blowing over the already burned area.

It is most likely the winds will blow away from valley and towards the ocean---but the Weather Channel is saying that there is 30 to 40% chance that it will change direction at some point, even briefly or intermittently. So firefighters have to have plans for either circumstance.

 

[Lilibet]

They cannot go back into those areas because that massive fire is still only 13% contained. It can reignite and explode in a moment's notice/

Yes, my cousin who lives in Palisades was out of the country and got back today. Her home survived, as did the others on her street, and she was hoping to go retrieve documents and jewelry, but I doubt she could. Fortunately, she has a place to stay. Her insurance had been canceled and she had to use whatever it is that the state provides. She wasn’t sure it would cover cleaning up the smoke damage.

I’m sure many know this, but she mentioned that not everyone in Palisades is wealthy. There are families who live in homes purchased in the 1940’s and ‘50’s and they held onto them all these years. I can’t imagine what their property taxes must be!

I hope you stay safe @katydid23.

 

[iamshadow21]

Eighty four year old Charles Mortimer has been named as a victim of the Palisades fire.

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/live-blog/california-wildfires-live-updates-rcna187298/rcrd68040?canonicalCard=true

LA wildfire victims: What we know about those killed

Family members have begun to identify the residents who were killed in the devastating wildfires in the Los Angeles area.

abcnews.go.com

Australian couple Joel and Maria House had to split up when evacuating from the Palisades fire. Maria drove to pick up their older daughter from her school in Santa Monica. Before she had a chance to return, Joel had to flee the oncoming flames with their eighteen month old on his bicycle.

Live: LA fires death toll rises to 24 as PM says 'tragedy' Australian was killedtoll rises to 24 as threat level remains 'critical'

Firefighters are working to make further progress against Los Angeles blazes that have killed at least 24 people, as forecasters warn strong winds will return this week. Follow live.

www.abc.net.au

 

[Lilibet]

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/live-blog/california-wildfires-live-updates-rcna187298#rcrd68040

L.A. County is offering maps for evacuated residents to check the status of their homes amid the fires.

So far, the websites have been created for the Palisades Fire and the Eaton Fire.

According to the key, red means a home was destroyed more than 50%, orange means it sustained major damage, yellow means there is minor damage, and black means it has no damage. If there is no color, the building has not yet been inspected.

 

[Skigh]

Second 'arsonist' caught in the act of starting new blazes in LA

Ruben Montes, 29, (not pictured) was arrested for arson on Sunday in Irwindale, California , roughly 16 miles away from Altadena, where the deadly Eaton Fire continues to rage.

www.dailymail.co.uk

A man has been arrested after firefighters caught him 'actively lighting fires' in Los Angeles county, it has emerged.

Ruben Montes, 29, was arrested for arson on Sunday in Irwindale, California, roughly 16 miles away from Altadena, where the deadly Eaton Fire continues to rage.

Firefighters were responding to a small brush fire in Irwindale when they witnessed Montes starting blazes in the area, police have confirmed.


He was detained by officers at the scene and ultimately arrested for arson.

Details surrounding the incident are limited and police have not revealed where Montes was booked.

Police have also not revealed if Montes was responsible for starting the brush fire or if any of the blazes that he allegedly lit have caused damage. It is also unclear if he has any ties to the other fires ravaging LA.

His arrest comes just days after Mexican national Juan Manuel Sierra-Leyva, was arrested for allegedly setting a fire in Calabasas, west of Beverly Hills.

 

[Yellowbelly]

We are thinking of you katydid23.

I've been monitoring Watch Duty postings and watching the live video from KTLA.

My impression is that the winds should be flowing away from San Fernando valley towards the ocean, much like the original winds. The wind would be blowing over the already burned area.

Coming from a rainy island on the other side of the world, I'm not too familiar with either wildfires or the geography of Los Angeles. What direction do these Santa Anna winds usually blow in? If it's north to south, isn't that potentially very bad news for Mandeville Canyon and Brentwood, looking at a map?

 

[Izzylizzy]

2 min ago

Governor says all fire-damaged buildings will be inspected within 14 days​

From CNN's Zoe Sottile
California Governor Gavin Newsom says 53 teams of inspectors are working to complete inspections on all structures damaged by the wildfires – with the hope of completing inspections within two weeks.

Inspectors will assess and document each property, paving the way for property owners to begin dealing with insurance and rebuilding, Newsom explained in an interview with CNN’s Kyung Lah. The inspectors’ findings will also be available online so property owners can assess the damage remotely.

The inspections will encompass thousands of homes. “Whatever resources they need, we said we’re going to provide it,” the governor said.

Once inspections are complete, the “Herculean effort” of removing debris will begin, Newsom said.

Removing all the debris and toxic material left behind as homes and buildings burned will likely take between six and nine months, according to the governor. The process is complicated by toxic waste, as well as the need to remove debris in a way which will be compatible with the rebuilding effort, he said.

“I’m for efficiency, transparency, moving forward in a cost-efficient manner,” he said.

“And then being accountable to the next step again, which is not just scraping, cleaning things up, but getting the rebuild going.”

https://edition.cnn.com/weather/live-news/los-angeles-wildfires-palisades-eaton-california-01-12-25/index.html?t=1736709824310

'Newsom Suspends State Environmental Rules for Rebuilding After Fires'​

"California is one of America’s most difficult and costly places to build — a driving factor behind the state’s longstanding affordable housing shortage."

Newsom Suspends State Environmental Rules for Rebuilding After Fires

California is one of America’s most difficult and costly places to build — a driving factor behind the state’s longstanding affordable housing shortage.

www.nytimes.com

 

[Izzylizzy]

I'm curious what the Coastal Development Permits will look like now.

 

[iamshadow21]

There's a beautiful video spot about the Altadena Community Church here, looks like it might have been created in tandem with the second article I posted earlier.

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/live-blog/california-wildfires-live-updates-rcna187298/rcrd68047?canonicalCard=true

Ninety five year old Dalyce Curry has been confirmed as a victim of the Altadena fire. Dalyce was part of "Old Black Hollywood", appearing in multiple major films of the 1950s.

https://www.cnn.com/weather/live-news/los-angeles-wildfires-palisades-eaton-california-01-13-25-hnk#cm5us9y1d00003b6oe6m8hi2f

Remains of 95-year-old grandmother discovered at her Altadena home after fire

Mamma D was part of Old Black Hollywood in the 1950s, acting for decades. Her remains were found at her home after the Eaton Fire.

abc7.com

 

[Elley Mae]

What caused the Palisades fire? A beloved hiking trail may hold answers

What caused the Palisades fire? A beloved hiking trail may hold answers

The origin point of the Palisades fire is around a beloved hiking trial with ocean views — and where another fire was sparked days earlier. Here's what we know.

www.latimes.com

Nic Libonati captured this image of the start of the Paradise fire from the deck of his home on Piedra Morada Drive in Pacific Palisades.

Hikers and outdoor enthusiastic have long been drawn to Skull Rock north of Sunset Boulevard in Pacific Palisades.

A relatively short hike on the Temescal Ridge trail reveals the skeletal-shaped Skull Rock and dramatic Pacific Ocean views.

 

[Izzylizzy]

Pink Fire Retardant, a Dramatic Wildfire Weapon, Poses Its Own Dangers

It’s widely used because it can slow flames in ways that water can’t. But it also contains heavy metals and other harmful compounds.

www.nytimes.com

 

[Izzylizzy]

Coming from a rainy island on the other side of the world, I'm not too familiar with either wildfires or the geography of Los Angeles. What direction do these Santa Anna winds usually blow in? If it's north to south, isn't that potentially very bad news for Mandeville Canyon and Brentwood, looking at a map?

What to Know About the Santa Ana Winds

The winds are common in California in the colder months, but they can sometimes help spread dangerous wildfires.

www.nytimes.com

 

[Knitty]

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