California Wildfires 2018

[gregjrichards]

2 of my family members had less than half a tank of gas. How they escaped knowing that is beyond me. Definitely a divine intervention or somebody looking out, is all I can say.

They also had a horse penned in their yard they couldn't take. Houses were both leveled and somehow the horse survived.

Fires are a bizarre thing.

Also, many people asking why you see so many trees surrounding with all of the destruction. It's actually quite common. Especially with these fast moving fires. The fires will burn thru the older, dead wood (ie houses) vs live trees. Live trees can have 50% water. Try burning a live tree--it's not as easy as one would think.

This is a picture of what is left of my dad's house. Cars, motorcycles, not even a clue they existed--fire burned them to ashes. But, notice all of the trees surrounding the area. Fascinating, outside of the devastation, obviously . . .

I’m so sorry for the loss your Dad and your other family members have suffered I can’t imagine what they are going through.

 

[pandamonium]

Thank you! It's like a bad armageddon movie, to be honest. My brother (and my uncle) were both uninsured . My brother and my dad are disabled and my brother has no income and has been trying to get disability for 3 years so my dad has basically been supporting them. They are feeling lost. No idea where they should start over and if they need a house just for them or for my brother and his extended family. It's overwhelming.

Many elderly I imagine in very similar situations.

I'm not sharing this as a sob story--it's the reality of my family and so many more. My dad is a double amputee from Vietnam. He survived 2 heart attacks in June and now this. He is a survivor! They/we will get thru this but it's a long road. But, an entire community was literally wiped out.

There are many resources (I can help if you pm me) if you want to support, financial or otherwise. Fostering/adopting pets as people are now homeless and cannot take them back, they need long term help after this disappears from the headlines. People are literally sleeping in their cars or in Walmart parking lots right now without bathrooms or sanitary conditions.

CA already has a housing crisis, it's very expensive to live there and I'm already seeing stories in the groups I belong to of greedy landlords trying to gouge these poor people.

 

[JerseyGirl]

So sad! My heart goes out to all

Horse found in swimming pool after seeking refuge from Camp Fire

 

[Ari_]

Thank you to you and everyone who explained how the camp fire got it’s name. I mistakenly thought it was started by an actual camp fire.

No worries. They just like to confuse everyone I think

 

[Ari_]

So sad! My heart goes out to all

Horse found in swimming pool after seeking refuge from Camp Fire

Oh my! What a miracle though that she got to water as safety from the fire, then the cover stopped her from drowning. I bet she was exhausted by the time she was rescued.

 

[mickey2942]

Losing everything is so disconcerting, it happened to me years ago. And many of my elderly neighbors who lost their homes, were not compensated completely by insurance, and they didn't qualify for low income loans even, because many of them were on Social Security. They lost their homes, and were basically homeless. They had older mobile homes, paid for..Many went to live with family. One guy, losing his home, literally killed him, he died a year later, those types of casualties are never counted.

 

[pandamonium]

Losing everything is so disconcerting, it happened to me years ago. And many of my elderly neighbors who lost their homes, were not compensated completely by insurance, and they didn't qualify for low income loans even, because many of them were on Social Security. They lost their homes, and were basically homeless. They had older mobile homes, paid for..Many went to live with family. One guy, losing his home, literally killed him, he died a year later, those types of casualties are never counted.

That is our fear as well. My dad and stepmom are on Social Security and just paid off their home last year. They are elderly with health issues. My brother has been appealing to get disability for 3 years and has no income so my dad has been supporting him and extended family as well. The stress alone is enough to kill people, literally. I talked to my dad this am and he was a Marine--that's how he lost his legs and he tries to be strong but he just sounds lost. They don't know what to do or where to go and thousands are in the same situation. He doesn't even know what size home to start thinking about getting because their situation is unknown. He doesn't think he will qualify for Fema or assistance because of SS. My uncle is pretty much in the same boat. Another retired veteran without insurance forced to start over. I sat and cried for an hour after talking to him. It's just awful. You just don't ever think it can/will happen to you or somebody close and it hit us 4 fold.

Insurance companies literally go broke in these big disasters as well. I've heard of stories like in the hurricanes where they file bankruptcy and victims don't even get compensated. I just can't imagine. Even younger, able bodied people are hurting. Not only are they homeless, but jobless as well. It's a double whammy. Then they have mortgage payments on a ruined/burnt house on top of finding new housing. So many issues . . and that's just the beginning. Health issues compiled by the smoke and chemicals in the air. The list goes on. I'm so worried about them all

 

[Pi Thoughts]

More than 5000 firefighters battling the blaze made gains overnight, slowing the flames’ advance toward Oroville, a town of about 19,000 people. The fire, which has charred 505 square kilometres and destroyed more than 6400 homes since it started Thursday, was reported 30 per cent contained.
Search for bodies intensifies in fire zone

These statistics seem unfathomable, hopefully this devastating fire will be fully contained soon. So sorry for all those people and animals involved.

 

[pandamonium]

I just want to add, coming from a family of firefighters, these guys deserve major kudos. Give them their appreciation, whenever, however you can. It doesn't have to be monetarily--they appreciate a simple thank you note. Last I heard, just in Paradise, over 30 of them lost their own homes, saw their own homes burning and continued working. They are up there doing their jobs, saving lives and property and putting their own issues on hold.

How many people do you know that can hold it together like that? I'm a mess watching and thinking of my own family and having trouble focusing at work. They are truly special people--all of them. Not just the firefighters, but ALL of the first responders.

ETA: as of 11/11:
CALFIRE employees affected:
61 evacuated
33 lost their homes
81 affected(family)

 

[KALI]

Last year we lost 27 horses due to fire here. My own horse was thankfully saved when the wind shifted. I hate fires. Enough to make me want to move. It is blowing like crazy here, in Fallbrook, so. Cal. Has me on edge.

Oh my! What a miracle though that she got to water as safety from the fire, then the cover stopped her from drowning. I bet she was exhausted by the time she was rescued.

 

[Hraefn]

That is our fear as well. My dad and stepmom are on Social Security and just paid off their home last year. They are elderly with health issues. My brother has been appealing to get disability for 3 years and has no income so my dad has been supporting him and extended family as well. The stress alone is enough to kill people, literally. I talked to my dad this am and he was a Marine--that's how he lost his legs and he tries to be strong but he just sounds lost. They don't know what to do or where to go and thousands are in the same situation. He doesn't even know what size home to start thinking about getting because their situation is unknown. He doesn't think he will qualify for Fema or assistance because of SS. My uncle is pretty much in the same boat. Another retired veteran without insurance forced to start over. I sat and cried for an hour after talking to him. It's just awful. You just don't ever think it can/will happen to you or somebody close and it hit us 4 fold.

Insurance companies literally go broke in these big disasters as well. I've heard of stories like in the hurricanes where they file bankruptcy and victims don't even get compensated. I just can't imagine. Even younger, able bodied people are hurting. Not only are they homeless, but jobless as well. It's a double whammy. Then they have mortgage payments on a ruined/burnt house on top of finding new housing. So many issues . . and that's just the beginning. Health issues compiled by the smoke and chemicals in the air. The list goes on. I'm so worried about them all

I've also heard of insurance companies going bankrupt and leaving people who paid into it for years totally abandoned. That is why I try to be understanding and appreciative when firefighters do things like save celebrities' Ferraris, etc., because even if the celebrity can afford to replace it who knows how much insurance money that would have taken from people who lost everything and have no backup funds.

 

[Lilibet]

I’ve been mulling over the emphasis in the press on losses by celebrities. I actually think it’s good to be reminded that wealthy celebrities are just as apt to be caught up in disasters and other tragedies as are ordinary people like us. Money and fame mean nothing and are not a protection. And while they might have an easier time rebuilding their homes and lives in the short term, the loss of treasured sentimental possessions and pets is just as hard for them as it is for us. They are mere humans with the same emotions as everyone else.

What they do have, though, is the means to help others, as Sandra Bullock, Miley Cyrus and Liam Hemsworth, and no doubt others are doing. I appreciate their generosity.

Cyrus and Hemsworth have donated $500,000 to The Malibu Foundation through Cyrus' charity, Happy Hippie, a representative said.

The funds will be used for "those in financial need, emergency relief assistance, community rebuilding , wildfire prevention and climate change resilience," according to a statement.

Miley Cyrus and Liam Hemsworth donate to help rebuild Malibu after fires - CNN

 

[MsFacetious]

Yes Lillibet, I had that talk with my daughter earlier today. Reminding her that celebrities are human too. They have baby pictures, pets, inherited items from family and other things that are precious to them. Those can't be replaced no matter how much money you have.

RSBM

If you look up the video mentioned on Youtube (you can search the MS name in the article to find it) please be warned it is very graphic (shows remains) and not for the faint of heart.

I did see this when the death toll was officially at 2. I knew because of that the toll was going to rise. I've had mixed feelings about the video. Due to the heat of the fire there was really only skeletons shown.

I feel like maybe someone WILL heed evacuation warnings after seeing that video that might not otherwise. Though I realize that wasn't the issue in this particular fire.

I felt like given the delay there will be in identifying most of the bodies, that this video could actually help some loved ones find out sooner. If they are able to say, yes that's their car and that's probably them inside. Some may want that, some may not.

Most of the bodies he filmed were his own friends. I can not even grasp the amount of shock he must have been in to be the only survivor.

I think it is good that youtube put a graphic warning on it as that wasn't there when I first saw it.

I can't judge him though. I just can't imagine or grasp what I would do in that situation.

Fires in CA are named after location, not cause. In this case, it started near a road called Camp Creek Road, hence the name.

Paradise is a small town with not many ways out. In addition, while trying to get out, the fire was moving too fast, roads kept getting closed. It took my family an hour to go just 2 blocks, and over 8 hours to get to safety to a place that normally only takes 1.5 hours at most. Flames were literally hitting people's cars, it was dark, and smokey and many people were getting diverted to side roads they may not have been familiar with or not recognized under the circumstances. My parents lived there for over 30 years and my stepmom got lost several times. It was sheer chaos.

Winds were over 50mph so aircraft couldn't fight the fire, it was moving too fast for cars/people to literally outrun. It was 'the perfect storm' so to speak. They received normal evac warnings, notices. Yes, as any emergency, some ignored, many were elderly and simply couldn't or didn't know about it. It's just a tragedy.

Read this am the poor little orange kitty did not survive

Yes I think this fire was the perfect storm. One way in and out. Not clearing off the sides of the roads. Lots of elderly and disabled people. People without vehicles to evacuate. Then the fire moved unbelievably fast. There just wasn't time.

Last year we lost 27 horses due to fire here. My own horse was thankfully saved when the wind shifted. I hate fires. Enough to make me want to move. It is blowing like crazy here, in Fallbrook, so. Cal. Has me on edge.

That is absolutely horrible. Fire is my biggest fear with 3 horses, 3 cats, 2 dogs and 3 kids! Terrified I wouldn't be able to get them all out. I was so relieved to see some horses being found alive after being released or escaping in this fire. Each one is encouraging.

 

[tarabull]

Woman called about power line issue day before deadly fire

 

[whitelilac]

I have been looking for a friend who I've not been able to contact, until today....safe thank heavens.
This Camp Fire missing FB site....the number of people, I have no words.....family, friends desperately needing info. It's so heartbreaking...

CAMP FIRE Missing

 

[margarita25]

“Most of the attention following the wildfire has focused on the search for dozens of people still missing and the possibility that power equipment belonging to the electric utility PG&E may have sparked the fire.”

Survivors of deadly Paradise, California fire say warnings came too late

(I remember posting much on this subject last year (PG&E).)

ETA: Here’s a post from Jerrod:
California Wildfires: 40 Deaths, Hundreds Missing, 5700 Buildings Destroyed


Here’s an article re PG&E from August:
PG&E Reflects on ‘Huge Uncertainty’ Created by California’s Wildfires

Earlier this summer, state investigations found that PG&E lines were the cause of several fires that killed at least 15 people and razed over 5,000 homes last fall. The news caused a further downward spiral in the utility’s stock, which had already dropped 40 percent since the fires. The company reported a $1 billion net loss in Q2.

And anothers, much on the subject re the 2017 fires:

Cal Fire: PG&E equipment caused 12 Northern California fires

PG&E Customers to Foot the Bill for Wine Country Fire Costs, Under Revised Bill

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Before and after photos show how wildfire reduced Paradise, California, to ashes
https://www-m.cnn.com/2018/11/13/us...tos-trnd/index.html?r=https://www.google.com/

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Northern California fire death toll rises to 48
https://www-m.cnn.com/2018/11/13/us...nds/index.html?r=https://www.google.com/&rm=1

“The Camp Fire has claimed 48 lives and 8,800 structures in Northern California, officials said Tuesday.“

Snip

“Butte County Sheriff and Coroner Kory L. Honea told reporters that six people have been arrested for looting and other crimes.“
(Smh)

—-

California's "Camp Fire" death toll jumps to 48 as thousands of firefighters battle blazes

“Some 9,000 firefighters have been battling the wildfires, which have become the deadliest and costliest in state history. Search teams have been using power saws and cadaver dogs to try to locate victims of the "Camp Fire."“

Snip

“An additional 100 National Guard troops were to join teams already looking for human remains.“

 

[margarita25]

Maps: Tracking the Spread of the California Fires

—-

“The staggering numbers behind the blazes
• Camp Fire: More than 15,500 structures are still threatened by the Camp Fire, which has scorched 130,000 acres of Northern California. That's bigger than the size of Atlanta. As of Tuesday evening, the inferno was 35% contained.
• Woolsey Fire: A whopping 57,000 structures are still threatened by the Woolsey Fire in Southern California. As of Tuesday morning, the inferno was 40% contained. The blaze has torched 97,114 acres.
• Hill Fire: Another Southern California blaze, the Hill Fire, has burned 4,531 acres and was 90% contained as of Tuesday morning.“

Snip

“500 fires in one month: California firefighters have battled more than 500 blazes in the past 30 days, said Cal Fire, the state's forestry and fire protection agency. In just the past week, more than 225,000 acres burned. That's larger than the cities of Chicago and Boston combined.“

https://www-m.cnn.com/2018/11/13/us...ey-winds/index.html?r=https://www.google.com/

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California Wildfires Updates: 48 Dead in Camp Fire, Toll Expected to Rise

PARADISE, Calif. — Search teams were scouring the devastated town of Paradise on Tuesday with the grim expectation of finding more bodies in the aftermath of the deadliest wildfire in California history.

“Finding remains is a painstaking process that is often guided by cadaver dogs after an intense fire like the one that struck Paradise and surrounding areas, where at least 48 people have been killed, about 200 are still missing and much is reduced to ashes. Coroners and dozens of other searchers have fanned out across the area, and two portable morgues are waiting to collect the dead.“
—-

New California fire spreading rapidly amid “relentless winds”

“Firefighters in California’s San Bernardino County are battling the newly erupted Sierra Fire, which is spreading rapidly amid “relentless” high winds.“

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Sierra Fire Threatens Homes in Fontana, Rialto

 

[Hatfield]

I found a really good link that has probably been shared before. I found this very helpful. You can click on the three main fires and get a good summary of where it is on the map and the percentage of containment so far.

Depressing to see that only one out of three of the fires is close to being fully contained.

Also very depressing to see all the other fires that happened mosly in this year. It is amazing to see how many fires California has had. I have only visited that state once and it was beautiful sunny weather. I am not sure I understand why they have so much trouble with fires there. I suppose its lack of rainfall and wind but other states like Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, etc. have that too so something unique about California makes it a huge fire risk. Maybe the types of trees or something else.

The Camp fire seems the worst according to their statistics so far on the map:
Camp Fire
Acreage:135,000 acres
Containment:35%
Deaths:48 deaths
Injuries:Three firefighters injured
Damage:8,817 structures destroyed, with 7,600 homes lost

2018 California Fire Tracker

 

[Satchie]

I am not sure I understand why they have so much trouble with fires there. I suppose its lack of rainfall and wind but other states like Texas, Oklahoma, New Mexico, etc. have that too so something unique about California makes it a huge fire risk. Maybe the types of trees or something else.

I think this is a fascinating subject, the question of why, tho I know most people don't want to dwell on it, they just want the problem to go away! Fire's a big issue where I live, in British Columbia, though the affected communities are normally very small, so not so newsworthy when they're evacuated, and certainly no deaths. But there's been some big fires these past years, which create lots of smoke that people hate.

So the main thing with California, I think, is the large population of people who live in fire prone areas, much more than anywhere else. This causes more fires to routinely start, for example by downed power lines, rather than by lightning which is apparently rare during this windy season. It makes evacuations more difficult, it means more homes are destroyed, rather than just burning over natural areas.

Then, of course, while everyone says climate change, that's such a vague answer, it's kind of a non-answer, IMO. It's like saying someone died because they were old: I want to know more specifically than that, at least about my own relatives: was it cancer, pneumonia, etc.

I think there's similarly specific, unique reasons for each major fire or region of fires. For example, in B.C. these past years, it's mainly because of an infestation of pine beetles 15 years ago that left vast swathes of dead trees: so of course, during a dry summer (which is pretty normal for this climate) the fires are going to be bigger and hotter as a result. I don't know what it is in California, fire ecologists could explain.

I always prefer to understand things at that more granular level, I feel it leads to empowering communities to take specific steps, rather than feeling subject to a sort of old testament plague called climate change.

 

[KALI]

We too have had the infestation of beetles, it is definately a contributing factor.