California Fires

1. 84

   Kenna McHughposted 6 years ago

   
   The California Fires is a tragedy. My heart goes out to those who have lost everything. How many of you are close to the California fires?

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      crankaliciousposted 6 years agoin reply to this

      If only some of these communities had hired an armed guard. They could have prevented these fires or notified fire fighters right when they started.

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      1. 84

         Kenna McHughposted 6 years agoin reply to this

         Crank, How could the armed guard prevent the fires?

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         1. 80

            crankaliciousposted 6 years agoin reply to this

            Just a recommendation from our President.

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            1. 99

               DrMark1961posted 6 years agoin reply to this

               It still does not make a lot of sense. Dont you guys have those towers in the forest that are manned by rangers watching for any signs of fire? Isnt their job to provide an early warning system?
               Maybe an area with a high population density needs more towers.

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               1. 84

                  Kenna McHughposted 6 years agoin reply to this

                  The speed the fire traveled so fast couldn't have been prevented by anything. It happened so fast when the fire started.

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                  1. 99

                     DrMark1961posted 6 years agoin reply to this

                     Even armed guards couldnt prevent it?

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                     1. 86

                        NateB11posted 6 years agoin reply to this

                        lol

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   2. 86

      NateB11posted 6 years agoin reply to this

      I live about 10 miles away from the fires up here in Northern California - fortunately only dealing with a h-ll of a lot of smoke. But we were very worried those first couple days. The team working on that fire is amazing. I watch the press conferences every day.

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      1. 84

         Kenna McHughposted 6 years agoin reply to this

         Nate, You are close. We are about an hour or two away from the fire and our city's air is thick with smoke. Universities and colleges are closed down due to the smoke. I think some public schools as well.

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         1. 86

            NateB11posted 6 years agoin reply to this

            Yeah, we got a lot of smoke here, in the hazardous range. Schools closed, even my job closed down because I work with people with disabilities. Getting paid though and going back next week to do other things not involving clients because they're ordered to stay home. It's all very terrible. Unbelievable. Still a little worried about some people I know who lived up there.

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2. 97

   Rochelle Frankposted 6 years ago

   Not the current ones. We were under mandatory evacuation for four days in August but our area was saved.

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      Kenna McHughposted 6 years agoin reply to this

      Rochelle, I am glad you are safe. We have friends near Chico and Paradise. Our church is helping them as best we can.

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3. 55

   Dan W Millerposted 6 years ago

   Thoudand Oaks is my hometown. I had a big long reply and I am in such pain from neuropathy from SJS, I dropped the phone. Not up to starting again. I have to go.....

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4. 66

   eugbugposted 6 years ago

   Forgive my ignorance, but how come there isn't a large fire break of a few hundred metres separating homes from forested areas? I know sparks can travel long distances and homes are generally made from timber in the US, but the further away fires are from trees, the less the risk?

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      wildernessposted 6 years agoin reply to this

      Only guessing here, but grasses burn, too.  Unless from lightning, fires don't start in trees; they start on the ground in grass and bushes.
      
      You'd need a paved area hundreds of yards wide, and one that would need constant re-building as the occupied area grows and expands.

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         eugbugposted 6 years agoin reply to this

         We don't have a serious problem with grass burning here because it's generally all used for pasture and kept low. However during the drought this year and last, there were were several forest fires and some occurred adjacent to bogland/fens where grass tends to grow long.

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   2. 84

      Kenna McHughposted 6 years agoin reply to this

      Fire breaks used to be mandatory but I think that be powers did a 360 on mandatory fire breaks.

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5. 94

   Natalie Frankposted 6 years ago

   They are saying something about a problem with a high voltage power line possibly being the cause?  Given that there seem to be wild fires every year in California at some point, I don't know why they don't build more water towers throughout area. 
   
   I realize it is an extremely large area and there's nothing that can be done about the winds when they kick up as they have this year but it seems more logical than armed guards.  You can't shoot a fire.  But seriously, having armed guards so they can notice fires early on seems a bit silly when they have watchtowers for this purpose.  If those in watchtowers don't see a fire until it's started to spread or if there are Santa Anna winds spreading it extremely rapidly like this year there's probably no way to get early warning before it's out of control.
   
   My heart goes out to all those who have been displaced or otherwise negatively affected by the fires, especially those who have lost homes or loved ones.  I pray they are able to get it under control and put it out quickly with no more loss of life or property.

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   1. 84

      Kenna McHughposted 6 years agoin reply to this

      The fires were sudden without much time to flee.

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