Archived Thread

NFT: California Wildfires

Nitro : 12/8/2017 1:46 pm

It's been a crazy few days out here:

I think we're up to 6 fires currently on going - the largest of which is the Thomas Fire burning north of Ventura (though parts of Ventura as well) towards Ojai and Santa Barbara, already destroying 500+ structures at about 5% containment. The air quality in most of Southern California is abysmal, looks like Shanghai when you're outside as everyone is wearing masks.

Anyways didn't see a thread, figure it's worthy of discussion. I have a few friends who are hotshots and they all knew months ago this was going to be a rough, delayed fire season. Last winter was the first in awhile where there was decent rainfall, which in turn grew a ton of brush. That brush is now pure tinder for these flames. Scary stuff, recently declared a state of emergency.

Stay safe, man.

Section331 : 12/8/2017 1:47 pm : link

It is crazy what has been going on in Cali, with the northern Cali fires and now this. I hope it is resolved soon.

I'm in the smoke part, not the fire part (for now at least)

Nitro : 12/8/2017 1:50 pm : link

the wildfire firefighters are the best in the world, so I have a lot of confidence in them. What's crazy is that the first call of a fire went out Monday night at 6:30 pm - by Midnight it was over 30,000 acres!

I hear there is a fire now in San Diego

gtt350 : 12/8/2017 1:53 pm : link

crazy

Do they know how this started?

Blue21 : 12/8/2017 2:16 pm : link

I don't think so

Nitro : 12/8/2017 3:01 pm : link

it's almost assuredly human-caused, intentional or negligent. I can tell you that up north a lot of them start from homeless people starting fires to stay warm at night.

My cousin is in the San Diego area..

EricJ : 12/8/2017 3:09 pm : link

he is about ready to evacuate. Cant breathe too well...

Yup, likely all human caused.

8 Ball : 12/8/2017 3:41 pm : link

Homeless trying to stay warm; obnoxious campfires; car fires; or things as simple as a trailers safety chains dragging; a guy welding on his tractor; or a cigarette flicked from a car. The wild grasses are extra tall/thick from the rains last winter, and now they are dry as a bone. The santa ana winds will turn an ember into an inferno in minutes.

A lot of

GeneInCal : 12/8/2017 3:46 pm : link

thoroughbreds have died at San Luis Rey Downs in Bonsall. This is the SD County fire that broke out yesterday. Very sad. San Luis Rey Downs has housed 4 Kentucky Derby Winners and multiple Breeders Cup winners.
Sudden firestorm forces deadly stampede at Bonsall training center - ( New Window )

Stay

AcidTest : 12/8/2017 6:15 pm : link

safe. 190,000 have evacuated. Wow. The whole coastal part of the state seems on fire. Incredible.

I was in Burbank, Van Nuys area tuesday

Paulie Walnuts : 12/8/2017 7:37 pm : link

the smoke and ash were amazing, police were giving out masks to homeless on the streets
I was in Orange country Thursday, nothing

thursday night north of San Diego was on fire and places being evacuated

terrible

humans likely causing this

A question

mitch300 : 12/8/2017 9:31 pm : link

I have been asking for years, living in Northern California and see on the news all the fires in the sierras throughout the years and experiencing the napa fires( I live in Solano county. Having the house smell like smoke) he they don't have more tankers. I know that now have ONE that is the size of a 747 and can lay down fire retardant for about a mile. How about having about a dozen of these. Ow much would each tanker cost? Let's say 1 million for each. They say the Napa fires are going to cost at least ONE BILLION DOLLARS. That's not even taking into account the lives that will be lost. Even the smaller tankers that they have. They fly one at a time over the fire. How about having 10-20 and having them fly in concession.

A million?

BH28 : 12/8/2017 9:45 pm : link

Try $200 million per plane. That's not even a new one. New ones are in the 300s

RE: A million?

mitch300 : 12/8/2017 10:26 pm : link

In comment 13731020 BH28 said:

Quote:

Try $200 million per plane. That's not even a new one. New ones are in the 300s

Are you talking about the 747. Btw how much do the smaller tankers cost. My point is have the insurance companies and government share the cost. It would be cheaper than what it will land up costing the government and insurance companies.

Cancelled my trip

liteamorn : 12/8/2017 10:41 pm : link

My fiance and I had planned a trip out from EWR to LAX for yesterday, we were supposed to travel drive to Santa Barbara from there and visit for a week. We cancelled, not wanting to be part of the problem with 100000 already evacuated at the time.

Stay safe people...stay safe

not to be callous or insensitive

Vanzetti : 12/8/2017 10:52 pm : link

because fire is frightening

but those are incredible pictures Nitro posted

yeah it's a pretty striking visual

Nitro : 12/9/2017 1:22 pm : link

morbidly beautiful.

so - the Thomas fire has grown

Nitro : 12/11/2017 10:18 pm : link

and now are moving towards Santa Barbara. Pretty crazy visuals to look out your window and see the ridgeline on fire. Had several friends evacuated yesterday. The fire dept are having a tough time with the winds and the terrain. So far they've done a great job though of protecting homes. The fire map shows how they've let it burn around civilization for the most part:

Still 800+ structures have been destroyed. Currently 5th largest wildfire in CA ever.

liteamorn

Nitro : 12/11/2017 10:24 pm : link

sorry to hear that but the right decision. It's hazardous to be outside here now. If you ever reschedule it, let me know I have great recommendations for that whole drive and stay in SB.