Damn….California is really on fire-

[r0ckrat]

CalFire's FB report today:

Incident Updates - Tuesday Morning (1/14)
#EatonFire
* North Pasadena and Altadena (LA County)
* 14,117 acres, 35% contained
https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2025/1/7/eaton-fire
#PalisadesFire
* Pacific Palisades (LA County)
* 23,713 acres, 17% contained
https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2025/1/7/palisades-fire
#AutoFire
* Ventura (Ventura County)
* 56 acres
https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2025/1/13/auto-fire
#HurstFire
* Sylmar Area (LA County)
* 799 acres. 97% contained
https://www.fire.ca.gov/incidents/2025/1/7/hurst-fire
For the most up-to-date emergency information and evacuation updates, please visit:

www.fire.ca.gov

A #RedFlagWarning remains in effect for several counties within Southern California. CAL FIRE has pre-positioned resources across in Southern California in anticipation of the strong winds expected.
#CALFIRE #LAwildfires #CAwildfires

 

[kbasa]

Enough gaslighting. Wells Fargo and Goldman Sachs have estimated that insured losses from the LA fires is likely to be $30 billion dollars and total losses are likely to exceed $40 billion dollars. That means that as much as 25% of the total losses, or $10 billion dollars will be borne by the property owners or mortgage lenders. For the most part Congress has authorized FEMA and the SBA the authority to offer low-interest loans but not grants to cover private property losses. Short term dislocation grants could be available. Grants to the cities and counties to cover infrastructure damage and losses might become available. But property owners will be on the hook for an estimated 25% of all that property loss carnage, and this assumes that insurance companies don't play games and willingly pay up for the losses.

Meanwhile, the thousands of displaced residents must scramble to find places to live in a housing market that prior to the fires already had a housing supply shortage. And landlords are jacking rents faster than the law allows, but tracking who said what when will be regulatory disaster. Homelessness will rise above the already high levels. Job loss from burned businesses will be substantial. It is hard to be a greeter or waiter/waitress at a burned restaurant or a machinist at a no longer existing shop.

It is a mess that will impact all of the LA area, California, and even the whole country by the time insurance rates, taxes, unemployment, and other factors take their toll. It will be a bumpy ride!!

I hope that the current crop of politicians throwing shade and insults on the Golden State can find some empathy just like we find out here when hurricanes, tornadoes and floods visit other Americans.

Reading some of the comments here, I see that this might be a pipe dream for me.

 

[GTRider]

I hope that the current crop of politicians throwing shade and insults on the Golden State can find some empathy just like we find out here when hurricanes, tornadoes and floods visit other Americans.

Reading some of the comments here, I see that this might be a pipe dream for me.

Agreed, on both counts. Nobel-winning economist Paul Krugman has over the last two days mapped out some interesting stats on the matter:

In Praise of California

It has its flaws — what place doesn’t? — but it plays a big role in America’s greatness

paulkrugman.substack.com

Remembrance of Red State Bailouts Past

Don’t memory-hole what the rest of us did for Texas in the 80s and post-bubble Florida

paulkrugman.substack.com

Best,
DeVern

 

[kbasa]

Thank you. And all y'all that we, as a state, have helped, you're welcome. We'd do it again.

If I saw one of the folks here go off the road, I wouldn't be asking what political party you were, nor judging whether your riding skills got you in trouble, or trying to pin the blame on you for your problem, I'd be down there trying to help you.

Maybe we can take that approach, friends. We are all Americans and a whole bunch of Americans in LA are having a really bad time. As Americans, we are the kind of people that help each other, so it really hurts me to read some of the comments coming from political leadership that don't support any of the ethics and courtesy we Americans typically extend to each other in our time of need.

 

[198049]

I am from Florida and do not enjoy cold weather. The wife and I needed a few weeks away to destress from caring for my mother who recently fell and broke her hip. We chose to go to Asheville, NC to spend our money where it could help those who are suffering from storms that we are all too familiar with. Politics never entered the equation. We have been blessed to receive help when we needed it in our lives and equally blessed to be in a position to help others when necessary. It is more blessed to give than receive. Anyone, at any time. Period.

 

[omega man]

"CBS News Sunday Morning" features stories on the arts, music, nature, entertainment, sports, history, science and Americana, and highlights unique human accomplishments and achievements.

Hopefully the devastation of hurricane Helene won't be forgotten-
Asheville North Carolina-

Damages beyond belief.

OM

 

[PGlaves]

I just read a heartwarming article about the evacuation of some 70 residents of an assisted living facility in Palisades . Tales of residents helping other residents, wheeling them a couple of blocks in wheelchairs, in beds, on walkers, and some carrying others to flee the flames and flying embers as their three story building was catching on fire. I went back and tried to find it but didn't at the moment.

 

[omega man]

Five major banks are offering homeowners up to three months of mortgage payment relief in areas devastated by the Southern California wildfires, Gov. Gavin Newsom said Saturday.

The participating banks are Bank of America, Citi, JPMorgan Chase, U.S. Bank and Wells Fargo. Many banks already have policies allowing up to three additional months of payment forbearance.

This will certainly be a bit of assistance to those devastated in this catastrophe.

Whole story in LA Times-

Five major banks offering mortgage relief in fire-ravaged L.A. region areas, Newsom announces

Five major banks will offer homeowners up to three months of forbearance on mortgage payments in areas devastated by the Southern California wildfires.

www.latimes.com

OM

 

[r0ckrat]

And a new fire north of the Angeles National Forest has closed down I-5. Near Hughes lake and Castaic, CA.

 

[omega man]

5000 acres in two hours-

Mandatory evacuation orders were expanded as the wildfire spread to over 5,000 acres in just around two hours, sending people fleeing from the area as heavy traffic built up along some roads. Authorities were trying to keep people calm as the situation quickly unfolded — a changing series of new updates and evacuations being announced just as they were earlier this month.

The “Hughes” fire-

Hughes Fire in LA County explodes to over 8,000 acres as thousands evacuated near Castaic

A fast-moving wildfire exploded to more than 8,000 acres near the Los Angeles County community of Castaic Wednesday morning, prompting mandatory evacuation orders and road closures, authorities said.

www.cbsnews.com

Poor residents can’t catch a break.

OM

 

[omega man]

Homeowners from the Paradise fire, another tragedy, are starting to rebuild. From CBS Sunday Morning-

The recent wildfires in Los Angeles County destroyed thousands of homes and businesses. But residents of Paradise, Calif., who lost their homes to the devastating Camp Fire in 2018, did not give up. Correspondent Ben Tracy looks at how the community is being reborn, using building materials that are designed not to burn.

OM

 

[brownie0486]

Basically showing upgraded quonset huts, we were billeted in them on some bases in the late 60's. Fireproof quonset huts aren't going to be the choice for those multi-million dollar homes that were destroyed. They were referred to as "basically a modern barn".

 

[scott9999]

Basically showing upgraded quonset huts, we were billeted in them on some bases in the late 60's. Fireproof quonset huts aren't going to be the choice for those multi-million dollar homes that were destroyed. They were referred to as "basically a modern barn".

And all that "progress" is some six years after the fire. How long will it be for L.A.?

The outlook, historically speaking, is not at all good for the victims of this year's fires in SoCal, no matter how they intend to replace their homes. It's down right tragic, so much suffering, SO much lost, including this historic properties. I wish someone could some up with a practical way to prevent these kinds of fires in California, but alas, the solution uniquely eludes California government.

 

[PGlaves]

Slowly but surely, over a period of almost 50 years, governments came to grips with generally preventing the rebuilding of homes in flood hazard areas. In these areas, when a home is damaged to the extent of 50% of its value, rebuilding at that location in the flood plain is prohibited unless the structure is elevated above the regulatory flood elevation or floodproofed. It took years of litigation to establish that such a regulation was generally not a deprivation of property rights.

If it started now it might take as many years to establish that when a structure located in the urban wildland boundary area is destroyed it cannot be rebuilt unless "fireproofed" however that might be defined. Looking at pictures and videos of the current devastation in Palisades and Altadena it is hard to imagine how the health hazards including asbestos will be dealt with during cleanup.

 

[scott9999]

Slowly but surely, over a period of almost 50 years, governments came to grips with generally preventing the rebuilding of homes in flood hazard areas. In these areas, when a home is damaged to the extent of 50% of its value, rebuilding at that location in the flood plain is prohibited unless the structure is elevated above the regulatory flood elevation or floodproofed. It took years of litigation to establish that such a regulation was generally not a deprivation of property rights.

If it started now it might take as many years to establish that when a structure located in the urban wildland boundary area is destroyed it cannot be rebuilt unless "fireproofed" however that might be defined. Looking at pictures and videos of the current devastation in Palisades and Altadena it is hard to imagine how the health hazards including asbestos will be dealt with during cleanup.

Idea sounds pretty good. Only problem is selling it the concept to the what, 40,000 burned out residents? Pardon the example, but it's kind of like blaming the girl for wearing a suggestive dress after she's attacked and molested. "Wear a different dress, and ya won't attack those predators." Maybe a better lock up for predators (e.g. fire prevention, water, training, better planning) might work better, since those pesky fire-predators never seem to stop their business, when the conditions are ripe.

But, this whole thing may be overcome by events. Between insurance rates (i.e. try to insure a home in the Sierra foothills from Sacramento towards HWYs 50 and 80), permit costs, the cost of hazmat debris removal, the cost of "fireproofed" building, and the complicated permit process, most residents may have to move on, leaving lots of open land for new greenspaces in place like Malibu and the Palisades. (Just the messenger here. I don't have a dog in this hunt.)

Celeb real estate agent calls on Newsom to 'cut the red tape'

 

[omega man]

In the “Can’t catch a break” department, it’s the threat of mudslides now.

It’s interesting the damage that 1/4” of rain can do in the west and of course, even worse with no vegetation.

OM

 

[r0ckrat]

We got a lot more than 1/4" in Long Beach yesterday (Sunday)...

For those living in or near the greater Los Angeles area, this info went to all employees of the company I work for in Long Beach:

On Jan. 17, the City of Pasadena CIO reached out to Laserfiche for assistance in finding 5,000 laptops and tablets to donate to Human-I-T, a 501(c)3 organization. These laptops will be refurbished to give to families in the Pasadena/Altadena area who lost their homes from the Eaton Canyon wildfire. The City’s concern was that many people lost everything—including their personal laptops or tablets—and need devices to file insurance claims, request FEMA assistance or do their homework.

So if you are in the area and have an old laptop that works... I can arrange recycling it through this org. My companies IT department will be handling completely wiping data from any laptops we (employees) turn in.

 

[omega man]

This may turn ugly-

When I donate, I like to donate “things” that can be used and, if I can, directly to someone that needs the assistance.
OM

 

[omega man]

Some progress on the cause of one of the fires-

OM

 

[riderr1150gsadv]

I hope the authorities have the real culprit and not some patsy...