California fires
#31
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 0
Re: California fires
Humans trying to control nature is in part why there are issues now, fire in certain places is natural part of the eco system, without the fire the ecosystem doesn't remain healthy. Humans trying to manage nature seems to always fail.
Have to also keep in mind different regions of California have different landscapes, especially in So. California where a lot of the fires are not in tree lined forests. There is a lot of this and this landscape when dry burns fast and hot.
So. California gets little rain, very distinct rainy season roughly October to March with little to no rain the rest of the year, some years its 4" of rain, some years a dozen or so inches, this landscape grows nicely in winter, by end of summer is tinder dry, fall brings the Santa Ana winds and perfect fire conditions.
Have to also keep in mind different regions of California have different landscapes, especially in So. California where a lot of the fires are not in tree lined forests. There is a lot of this and this landscape when dry burns fast and hot.
So. California gets little rain, very distinct rainy season roughly October to March with little to no rain the rest of the year, some years its 4" of rain, some years a dozen or so inches, this landscape grows nicely in winter, by end of summer is tinder dry, fall brings the Santa Ana winds and perfect fire conditions.
#32
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Joined: Dec 2015
Location: california
Posts: 6,035
Re: California fires
Too much high density housing development in canyons and hillsides. it seems to be spreading more and more in the Inland Empire towards Indio. Malibu gets burnt down every 35-40 years or so but people must have a view of the ocean and they must be wealthy enough to be able to afford the home insurance rates which must be sky high in that part
#33
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Joined: Dec 2002
Location: Keep true friends and puppets close, trust no-one else...
Posts: 93,814
Re: California fires
Its an incredibly common reason for wildfires, not just in the US, but worldwide. A couple of people have been prosecuted in Australia for it this year, at least one was a volunteer firefighter - and while that may seem even more stupid, he is one of many who has gone down this road.
Many of Australia's huge fires are started by kids who want to see what happens when things start to burn, by firefighters who want the chance to fight a big fire and show their skills, even by idiots starting backyard bonfires on high fire danger days.
Many of Australia's huge fires are started by kids who want to see what happens when things start to burn, by firefighters who want the chance to fight a big fire and show their skills, even by idiots starting backyard bonfires on high fire danger days.
#34
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Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 0
Re: California fires
https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/...r-12294852.php
article from last fall with causes of some of the largest fires as of last fall.
article from last fall with causes of some of the largest fires as of last fall.
Last edited by scrubbedexpat091; Nov 16th 2018 at 1:31 am.
#35
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: May 2010
Location: San Diego, California
Posts: 9,660
Re: California fires
[QUOTE=Shard;12593162]Arson! How can anyone be that stupid.[/QUOTE
ARSON .......the criminal act of deliberately setting fire to property.
Nothing to do with stupidity ........
ARSON .......the criminal act of deliberately setting fire to property.
- "police are treating the fire as arson"synonymsyromania, incendiarism;
informaltorching
"the fire is being treated as arson"
Nothing to do with stupidity ........
#36
Lost in BE Cyberspace
Joined: May 2010
Location: San Diego, California
Posts: 9,660
Re: California fires
[QUOTE=Shard;12593162]Arson! How can anyone be that stupid.[/QUOTE
duplicate ...
duplicate ...
Last edited by SanDiegogirl; Nov 16th 2018 at 12:57 am.
#37
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Joined: May 2010
Location: San Diego, California
Posts: 9,660
Re: California fires
The Woolsey fire (the one in Malibu and surrounding areas) is not a forest fire. There are no forests in this part of the coastline. What there is is brush, mainly made up coastal chaparral with some coastal live oaks and coastal sage.
The chaparral comprises mainly dense shrubs. They grow as woody shrubs with thick, leathery, and often small leaves, some contain green leaves all year (are evergreen), and are typically drought resistant. When they are set alight they go up like a rocket due to the intense dryness of the plant.
While the north Californian fire (Camp Fire) did consist of large areas of forest with deciduous and evergreen trees (with many dead), the Woolsey fire was not a forest fire. The only managing of coastal chaparral that can be done is to remove it. Many developments and communities have a 100ft safe area mandated around them.
Where fires start in Santa Ana conditions (and they always start under these conditions, wouldn't you know) and with the steep canyons which make up the Malibu area there is little the firefighters can do but attempt to put perimeters around it - which they do magnificently again and again.
As one who has been evacuated twice in my area, with not a forest to be seen, I can only say that, once again, Trump does not know what he is talking about.
The chaparral comprises mainly dense shrubs. They grow as woody shrubs with thick, leathery, and often small leaves, some contain green leaves all year (are evergreen), and are typically drought resistant. When they are set alight they go up like a rocket due to the intense dryness of the plant.
While the north Californian fire (Camp Fire) did consist of large areas of forest with deciduous and evergreen trees (with many dead), the Woolsey fire was not a forest fire. The only managing of coastal chaparral that can be done is to remove it. Many developments and communities have a 100ft safe area mandated around them.
Where fires start in Santa Ana conditions (and they always start under these conditions, wouldn't you know) and with the steep canyons which make up the Malibu area there is little the firefighters can do but attempt to put perimeters around it - which they do magnificently again and again.
As one who has been evacuated twice in my area, with not a forest to be seen, I can only say that, once again, Trump does not know what he is talking about.
#38
Forum Regular
Joined: Jul 2018
Location: California
Posts: 254
Re: California fires
Its an incredibly common reason for wildfires, not just in the US, but worldwide. A couple of people have been prosecuted in Australia for it this year, at least one was a volunteer firefighter - and while that may seem even more stupid, he is one of many who has gone down this road.
Many of Australia's huge fires are started by kids who want to see what happens when things start to burn, by firefighters who want the chance to fight a big fire and show their skills, even by idiots starting backyard bonfires on high fire danger days.
Many of Australia's huge fires are started by kids who want to see what happens when things start to burn, by firefighters who want the chance to fight a big fire and show their skills, even by idiots starting backyard bonfires on high fire danger days.
#39
Account Closed
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 0
Re: California fires
The Woolsey fire (the one in Malibu and surrounding areas) is not a forest fire. There are no forests in this part of the coastline. What there is is brush, mainly made up coastal chaparral with some coastal live oaks and coastal sage.
The chaparral comprises mainly dense shrubs. They grow as woody shrubs with thick, leathery, and often small leaves, some contain green leaves all year (are evergreen), and are typically drought resistant. When they are set alight they go up like a rocket due to the intense dryness of the plant.
While the north Californian fire (Camp Fire) did consist of large areas of forest with deciduous and evergreen trees (with many dead), the Woolsey fire was not a forest fire. The only managing of coastal chaparral that can be done is to remove it. Many developments and communities have a 100ft safe area mandated around them.
Where fires start in Santa Ana conditions (and they always start under these conditions, wouldn't you know) and with the steep canyons which make up the Malibu area there is little the firefighters can do but attempt to put perimeters around it - which they do magnificently again and again.
As one who has been evacuated twice in my area, with not a forest to be seen, I can only say that, once again, Trump does not know what he is talking about.
The chaparral comprises mainly dense shrubs. They grow as woody shrubs with thick, leathery, and often small leaves, some contain green leaves all year (are evergreen), and are typically drought resistant. When they are set alight they go up like a rocket due to the intense dryness of the plant.
While the north Californian fire (Camp Fire) did consist of large areas of forest with deciduous and evergreen trees (with many dead), the Woolsey fire was not a forest fire. The only managing of coastal chaparral that can be done is to remove it. Many developments and communities have a 100ft safe area mandated around them.
Where fires start in Santa Ana conditions (and they always start under these conditions, wouldn't you know) and with the steep canyons which make up the Malibu area there is little the firefighters can do but attempt to put perimeters around it - which they do magnificently again and again.
As one who has been evacuated twice in my area, with not a forest to be seen, I can only say that, once again, Trump does not know what he is talking about.
Spot on.
#40
Account Closed
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 2
Re: California fires
We have open grassland with a few bushes, denser by the creeks.
The mountains are heavily wooded up to tree level.
Both burn.
The mountains are heavily wooded up to tree level.
Both burn.
#42
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Joined: Jul 2015
Location: Panama City, FL
Posts: 2,063
Re: California fires
Woolsey fire destroys Australian director's home, burns savings kept in fire-proof safe
They have a go fund me page.
Anyone care to donate?
They have a go fund me page.
Anyone care to donate?
#45
Re: California fires
Yes, especially when everyone is so connected through phones and social media these days. Family members are saying it's so unlike ''family member" not to check in.