Is everyone ok?
Posted by quidscribis (Member # 5124) on :
Oh. That's just not good. Posted by Jhai (Member # 5633) on :
They're probably not awake yet...
And, while this is a very bad blaze, SoCal gets bad ones every few years. It's expected, and most people are pretty good about staying safe. Ah, California, home to earthquakes, mudslides, and fires...
Posted by Mucus (Member # 9735) on :
Maybe its divine wrath for this. Posted by Farmgirl (Member # 5567) on :
The news stories on this always confuse me, because I'm not real familiar with California geography.
They talk about San Diego county and also Malibu in one sentence after another, but those two areas are far apart according to google maps.
So I assuming we are talking SEVERAL different blazes here now. I just can't tell for sure where all they are affecting exactly by looking at the map.
----
oh wait -- looks like CNN has a nice map Posted by MattP (Member # 10495) on :
My mom was evacuated from her home in Rancho Penasquitos this morning.
Posted by saxon75 (Member # 4589) on :
I just spoke with Papa Moose and he says they are fine. He would have posted himself but apparently they have lost power at their house (Mama Squirrel is at work and has power there).
There are several wildfires burning right now, including the Malibu area, Ventura County north of Camarillo, Orange County east of Irvine, Santa Barbara County near Los Olivos, and about eight fires in San Diego County.
As of right now, my neighborhood in San Diego has not been evacuated, but the areas just to the north of us have been, so we are preparing to leave if it becomes necessary.
To the best of my knowledge, none of the LA people live in threatened areas, but I have not checked with any of them yet.
Posted by saxon75 (Member # 4589) on :
By the way, if you do want to contact anyone in SoCal to make sure they are OK, try to use land lines where possible, especially for contacts in San Diego County. We've been asked to stay off cell phones when possible in order to keep the lines clear for emergencies.
Posted by baduffer (Member # 10469) on :
When I went to bed last night there were 2 fires and this morning there are at least 12. The low humidity <10%, high winds gusting to 70, and high temps, mid 90's, are spreading it faster than anyone has ever seen. The winds and smoke are so bad the support planes have been unable to fly. They have closed portions of the 15 from the 78 to the 56 where the fire has jumped the interstate which is about 12 lanes wide at that point. I live near the center of the city maybe 10 to 15 miles from the fire area and the smell of smoke is very strong in the air and see heavy smoke to the north and east.
MattP, I hope your mother and home will be ok. They are evacuating 1000s of people from from that area.
Posted by MattP (Member # 10495) on :
I just talked to my mom. They are evacuating everyone in her area north of 56. She's literally a few blocks from 56 so her home is at the end of the evacuation zone furthest from the fire.
Posted by BannaOj (Member # 3206) on :
Papa Moose do you know anything about fire on Santa Rosa Road? in Camarillo/Somis-ish? My mom is concerned because they don't have anything in the news but she's heard of a fire out there.
Posted by BannaOj (Member # 3206) on :
My parents live in Oxnard, which is on a coastal plain just north of Malibu. After seeing the landmark castle above Malibu go up on the news reports. I called to find out if this was a "routine" fire season thing or a "bad one". And the answer is "a bad one" even though they are generally safe where they are. She said they had to turn on the lights yesterday at about 1pm because the sky was so dark. They have all their windows shut, but the rooms on the eastern side of the house smell "smoky" compared to the other side of the house.
The wind gusts are terrible. Her eyes are watering from the smoke in the air. The asthma danger is extreme for the entire population, you aren't supposed to engage in any major amounts of exercise.
AJ
Posted by saxon75 (Member # 4589) on :
The Mooses have lost power at their house so I doubt they will be online at all today. Possibly longer, depending how long these fires continue.
Posted by BannaOj (Member # 3206) on :
Whoops... didn't read saxon's saying Papa Moose can't get internet.
Moose is out towards Santa Rosa Road himself, which is why I'm concerned. They try to hold the fire lines at canyons and mountains so that it can't get out and threaten the population, but if the wind is driving it as rapidly as it sounds it's going to be difficult.
AJ, I have an uncle in Oxnard -- we've visited there. I had no idea your parents were in the same town.
Posted by BannaOj (Member # 3206) on :
yup... that's where I was born and raised. Oxnard's pretty safe though due to geography. I'm much more concerned about the Meese, they live a lot closer to the hills.
Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
We have had high winds up here in the Foothills, but no fires yet. Thankfully.
A few buildings have been damaged by falling tree branches (some cars, too.) And the occasional brown-out, but that's about it for us.
Posted by BlackBlade (Member # 8376) on :
quote:Originally posted by saxon75: The Mooses have lost power at their house so I doubt they will be online at all today. Possibly longer, depending how long these fires continue.
And now forum spammers can go wild on hatrack! How will we see through the opaque mess of viagra, prescription drugs, XXX nudie girls, and herbal remedies!?
This fire does not just hurt Californians, it is killing all that is decent in the world!
---- MattP: I sincerely hope the fires stays away from your mom's house.
Posted by Lyrhawn (Member # 7039) on :
On the surface this looks a lot worse than anything I've seen recently. This is the first I've heard about more than a few dozen homes and a couple thousand people being threatened. According to CNN, a quarter of a million peple are in danger, and thousands of homes.
I hope everyone makes it out of the way.
Posted by Mama Squirrel (Member # 4155) on :
Power came back on pretty quickly at home, but they expect power to come and go in some areas throughout the next couple of days. We don't usually lose power for very long because we are on the same grid as a hospital.
The fire on Santa Rosa Road is expected to be fully contained late this afternoon. It's pretty far down Santa Rosa Road. It's actually closer to my Grandma that lives in Leisure Village.
I just heard about a fire near the 101 at Rose Ave. in Oxnard (near Sam's Club). I don't have much info on that yet.
So far the smoke doesn't seem to be affecting Squoose (our kid with breathing issues). Mooselet's school is keeping all the kids indoors today.
Posted by Mama Squirrel (Member # 4155) on :
OK. The Oxnard one was in a palm tree, but it is out now. There is a new one in Ventura. I also just heard something about voluntary evacuations in Ojai, but I haven't heard anything about a fire there.
I'm guessing, from looking out my work window, that the smoke is worse at home than it is here at work. I'll know for sure in an hour when I pick up Mooselet from school.
Posted by BannaOj (Member # 3206) on :
Ack, things are getting worse in San Diego, the fire jumped I-15. You can see the evacuation area here.
My sister-in-law is north of 78 and the fire appears to be heading south, so they think they are ok for the moment.
The fire burned around her family up in Santa Clarita and got pretty close, but they are safe, and probably will be ok from here on out because it is now mostly already burned. Though another fire could come at them from the non-burned direction still.
I'm guessing some of the smaller fires are starting from flying cinders in the air.
Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
*emails friend and family in San Diego within the evac area*
Posted by Papa Moose (Member # 1992) on :
Power was indeed back up quickly (only down for maybe 10 minutes), but the internet stayed down for a while, and we still don't have e-mail. And no guarantees anything will remain.
But I'm still watching, forum spammers... through a glass darkly, or maybe smoked glass.
And I haven't gotten any whistles though I hear tell there were a couple -- if my connection stays up and Superstation stays quiet enough for Squoose to sleep, I'll check to see what's what.
--Pop
Posted by JonHecht (Member # 9712) on :
My friend's house just burned down. I go to SDSU and class was just canceled for the day, and potentially for the rest of the week. This really stinks because I have a midterm and a huge essay due next week.
I just watched a local reporter standing in front of his own out burning down going like "umm, that's my kitchen on fire" trying to remain professional. As well, a ton of the profs. houses burned down, because most of them cluster in one area.
Posted by Mama Squirrel (Member # 4155) on :
I have an aunt who lives close to one of the burned out streets in Canyon Country (Santa Clarita). I haven't been able to find a map of what areas are burned/evacuated there.
Posted by BannaOj (Member # 3206) on :
There's a link to a "fire information map" that is really good.
AJ
Posted by erosomniac (Member # 6834) on :
Anyone know if Cerritos is affected?
Posted by BannaOj (Member # 3206) on :
Probably air quality wise, but if cerritos burns it means that every fire fighter is dead, and the fire is racing unchecked to the ocean across L.A. Overall Cerritos is probably a pretty safe place to be (well as far as fire goes)
AJ
Posted by Mama Squirrel (Member # 4155) on :
Thanks AJ. My aunt's house is about 2000 ft SE of the red section.
Posted by BannaOj (Member # 3206) on :
I don't know how accurately those lines are drawn, but they look pretty decent. My sister in law's family lives near Sierra Hwy at Soledad Canyon, which looks good since there's a green marker there that they just reopened the road.
I'm sure there's still danger from smaller local brush fires, since there is still quite a bit of open space in the town itself. It sounds like it is off is heading towards Castaic. I think there are reports it's already gone around the lake in some places, but I think that unless another fire comes from the east and jumps I-14 they'll be ok.
Posted by Mama Squirrel (Member # 4155) on :
Oops. I meant to say SW, not SE. Still, if it's heading more NW toward Castaic they will probably be fine. I am sure they are at my cousin's house which is on the other side of the 14.
Posted by BannaOj (Member # 3206) on :
New incident near Magic Mtn approximately 50 acres.
Google maps is amazing. I finally found something similar done by kpbs for the San diego area.
you can click on the interactive map on this webpage as well.
I'm not dead yet, my dears. It takes more than a few bits and pieces of falling ash to take me on.
Since I'm living with my aunt in La Jolla at the moment, I'm not too worried because I think this area is pretty safe. No one in my family has been evacuated and my brother doesn't live in South Bay anymore. So far, everything is ok on my side. n_n Besides, I survived the October 2003 Cedar fires, and THOSE were a heck of a lot worse than this, at least from my experience. I'm not feeling like I'm trapped in Silent Hill just yet.
The good news is that class got canceled today and tomorrow. n_n
Thanks for worrying about me Hatrack. Posted by saxon75 (Member # 4589) on :
The news is reporting these fires as worse than the Cedar fire--in fact, they're saying this is the worst fire in the history of the state. (Not sure if that's just one of the fires or all of them together.)
But La Jolla should be pretty safe. I'm glad you're out of harm's way.
Posted by Altáriël of Dorthonion (Member # 6473) on :
I saw that from the news too. The cedar fires back then affected my a lot more than these have so far. The sky was red, ash would not stop falling, two of my friend's houses were burned and one lost two loved ones not to mention all his pets.
So far this fire hasn't affected me all that much, if at all.
Posted by saxon75 (Member # 4589) on :
It's affecting a lot of other people. Over 250,000 people have been evacuated--in the Cedar fire, only 50,000 were evacuated--and many homes have been lost.
Posted by littlemissattitude (Member # 4514) on :
quote:Originally posted by BannaOj: Probably air quality wise, but if cerritos burns it means that every fire fighter is dead, and the fire is racing unchecked to the ocean across L.A. Overall Cerritos is probably a pretty safe place to be (well as far as fire goes)
AJ
Agreed. I lived in Norwalk for awhile, which is right next to Cerritos, and the worst we ever got there during big fires was nasty air and the occasional (and very much non-combusting) ash falls.
Now, when I lived in Simi Valley, it was another story altogether.
Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
I remember one time growing up when my dad worked in Simi him having to show his medical license and be escorted by a fire truck to get to work every day... (There was fire on both sides of all the roads leading from here to his work, and while not in immediate danger, the roads were closed to facilitate property protection. The clinic was still open, though, and was in a safe area, and was treating lots of pediatric smoke inhalation, asthma attacks, etc. So they needed all their employees. His escorted commute lasted about a week.)
Posted by Altáriël of Dorthonion (Member # 6473) on :
quote:Originally posted by saxon75: It's affecting a lot of other people. Over 250,000 people have been evacuated--in the Cedar fire, only 50,000 were evacuated--and many homes have been lost.
Yeah, in that respect these fires are worse. I didn't mean to make it seem like I didn't care about those people. My bad.
Although, I just heard that they evacuated the Del Mar area which isn't too far from here. That's the only thing that's worrying me. I'll keep you guys posted on whatever info I can get.
Posted by JonHecht (Member # 9712) on :
Forgive the levity here, but my friend who just lost his home just said "George Bush doesn't care about upper middle-class white people!" and I had to share.
Posted by Altáriël of Dorthonion (Member # 6473) on :
My friend gave me a blog address that is keeping up with the fire pretty well.
I just saw on TV that you can see the fire from La Mesa and El Cajon but it's Spring Valley that is most threatened. My mom is in El Cajon, not to mention several friends of mine; so I'm a little worried now.
Let's hope things don't get any worse.
Posted by Altáriël of Dorthonion (Member # 6473) on :
Google has mapped the area. I knew they would come up with this little nifty gadget sometime soon.
Umm, I can see the fire right now very clearly, and it is massive... and I am scared, pardon my French, shitless.
Pretty sure we might have to evacuate.
Posted by baduffer (Member # 10469) on :
Here is a good map from SDcounty; firemap Posted by Morbo (Member # 5309) on :
Good luck Jon, and everyone else affected. That Google map is useful.
Here's a NASA satellite map showing how quickly the fires blew up.
Posted by Primal Curve (Member # 3587) on :
Has anyone heard from saxon since his last post? Both he and his wife have been weighing heavily on my mind since I first heard about this. I just want to make sure he's okay.
Posted by ClaudiaTherese (Member # 923) on :
He just posted at his site.
Posted by Primal Curve (Member # 3587) on :
I figured, but I don't have access to his site at work.
Posted by dkw (Member # 3264) on :
They are evacuated, but they're staying at a friend's house which is outside the evacuation zone. The dog is with them.
Edit for top of page: "They" would be saxon75 and Juliette.
Posted by Primal Curve (Member # 3587) on :
Thanks; dkw, CT.
Posted by Noemon (Member # 1115) on :
quote:Originally posted by ClaudiaTherese: He just posted at his site.
That's such a relief. Like Primal, I can't check sake from work, and I've been worrying.
Posted by KaliAngelKat (Member # 10765) on :
My prayers to everyone in my adopted home state! I got a rude wake up call from my aunt early this am asking if I could locate the number for a friend that lives in the canyon area of LA County. (He's between two of the bigger fires)
I also sent emails to a friend in my old ward in Long Beach to make sure that they are fine and as a touch base for discorvering which ones of my friends are in the line of fire and if there has been any contact with them.
I bawled like a baby when I saw the image that yahoo had of Magic Mountian covered in smotke and my aunt says theat they are surrounded on three sides by the fires.
Posted by BlackBlade (Member # 8376) on :
quote:Firefighters expected no break from the winds fueling the fires until midday Thursday, said Harvey Johnson, deputy administrator for the Federal Emergency Management Agency.
Woah. Posted by JumboWumbo (Member # 10047) on :
The fires are about four miles from where I live, at the time of writing, but I don't think they'll be getting any closer, so I don't think I'll be evacuating. The sky is an eerie orange, and school has been shut down all week.
Last night, we went out to dinner, and the waitress informed us that her husband's work had just burned down. I know of at least one friend who lives in Romona who had his house burn down, and many more that have had to evacuate. There isn't even a tally yet on the number of homes that have been burndt. This whole thing is so surreal, it hasn't really hit me yet.
Posted by saxon75 (Member # 4589) on :
Yes, Juliette and I (and Cooper) are all fine. We spent the night last night at a friend's house but have returned home today. Apparently there was some confusion with the local news outlets and our area was reported as a mandatory evacuation zone when in reality the fire department had designated it as a voluntary evacuation zone. (And, in any event, it wasn't clear whether we actually fell within that zone--the southern boundary was defined by a road that didn't go all the way between the east and west edges.) We still have the car packed up and ready to leave at a moment's notice, and while that may happen I'm not really very concerned about our house actually burning.
Posted by saxon75 (Member # 4589) on :
Wow, I just heard that the total number of evacuees has reached 513,000.
Edit: I guess that was in the article BlackBlade linked.
Posted by baduffer (Member # 10469) on :
They just announced on TV that 346,000 houses have been evacuated. That is houses not people.
Posted by erosomniac (Member # 6834) on :
Please don't take this as a solicitation, because it isn't (how awful would that be, aside from being against the TOS?), but if anyone in the affected area has respiratory problems that are getting aggravated because of the crap in the air and would be interested in an air purifier, I can sell you one at cost.
Edit: And if anyone really feels this is against the TOS, let me know and I'll remove it.
Posted by MattP (Member # 10495) on :
I doubt that any off-the-shelf purifier is likely to help in the current conditions.
Posted by erosomniac (Member # 6834) on :
You'd be surprised. They may not make the air pure again, but a good quality carbon filtration system would almost certainly help alleviate any adverse reactions.
Posted by Noemon (Member # 1115) on :
I've been thinking of all of those evacuees, and the wisdom of having an emergency bag packed with essentials (and also thinking about the things that I have in mine, and wondering if I should swap in some different stuff). If anybody here doesn't have such a bag, consider packing one. It's one of those things that you'll probably never need, but possession of which is worthwhile anyway.
Posted by MattP (Member # 10495) on :
quote:Originally posted by erosomniac: You'd be surprised. They may not make the air pure again, but a good quality carbon filtration system would almost certainly help alleviate any adverse reactions.
It's more an issue of particulates, which is going to clog up the carbon pretty quick. I would bet people are having a heck of time just keeping their furnace filters clean enough to keep their A/C going.
Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
I was just outside for the first time today, and the sunshine is... well, the only way to describe it is ORANGE. It's not the normal, clear, white light that you expect sunshine to be. We can't see fire from where we are, but the entire area is covered in such a cloud of smoke and haze that the sunlight gets filtered through it and turns orange. It literally looks like you're under a sulfur street lamp at night, except during the day, and all over.
I sure hope they're not letting the kids play outside at Emma's preschool today. The air is not obviously bad, but if there's that much smoke in the air I don't want her breathing it too much. I don't need to deal with two coughing children tonight, Bridey (our little respiratory problem girl since she was born) is already hacking her lungs up every time she lays down.
Posted by MattP (Member # 10495) on :
Recent news tidbits:
* Total acreage burned as of noon: 241,000
* A water pump is out in Ramona. Residents have been informed that there will be no water shortly.
* Residents who want protection from the air should purchase a mask rated "N-95"
Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
I'll have to call my dad and see if he has any masks, he usually keeps them on hand. I have a feeling by the time we could make it to the store they will be sold out, and I don't want to break into our emergency kit.
Posted by dkw (Member # 3264) on :
A raging wildfire doesn't count as an emergency?
Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
Um, it's not the kind of emergency that kit is for. Not in our area, where there's no fire or ash. That's our "contagious viral outbreak/actually having to hike away from a raging wildfire" stash, we ran out of the ones I keep around for "our area is having a bad air day and my asthma is acting up."
Posted by Noemon (Member # 1115) on :
quote:Originally posted by dkw: A raging wildfire doesn't count as an emergency?
The ketchups are made of sterner stuff than the average person.
Posted by baduffer (Member # 10469) on :
This site provides updated maps on the evacuation area and fire area. It also overlays the Thomas guide squares so you can use your Thomas guide and see greater detail.
Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
No, really, if we were, say, close to an evacuation area, I would break out the emergency masks in a heartbeat if I was having trouble breathing. But where we are, it's just not that urgent; my asthma is still controllable with my inhaler, and I have a nebulizer on standby in case.
Posted by JonHecht (Member # 9712) on :
Alright, class was canceled for the week so I am going back home until Sunday. I'll probably be studying for my midterm and writing an essay.
Posted by anti_maven (Member # 9789) on :
Good news then. Boiled Ketchup is a BAD thing, and broiled Jatraquero is a recipe I'd rather do without.
BTW has anyone heard from Rivka?
Sorry to be a pain, but I feel concerned about the Cali Clump.
Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
Rivka's on a break from Hatrack. I'm sure she's fine but if you'd like I'd be happy to e-mail her and get her assurances.
Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
E-mail sent.
Posted by anti_maven (Member # 9789) on :
Thanks KQ - it's raining here in Spain, and I cant help but feel worried about you folks in a dry and torrid climate.
Best wishes from the entire Maven Clan. Catch you all tomorrow.
Good luck.
Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
From rivka:
quote:I appreciate the concern, but really, I'm fine. I've been busy with life and such, but I'll probably be back eventually. Meanwhile, I am still checking my email, and can be reached at rivkag AT gmail.
Thanks, Rivka
Posted by Mama Squirrel (Member # 4155) on :
The wind must have shifted. It's getting very smoky over here again. At least I hope it is that and not that the fires are getting worse.
Posted by Morbo (Member # 5309) on :
I don't know if it affects anyone here, but USAir just dropped some fees for changing tickets to S.Cali. I imagine the other airlines will do this also.
quote: (AP) -- US Airways is waiving some fees for customers traveling to or from Southern California who need to change their flights because of the wildfires.
quote:Originally posted by JonHecht: Alright, class was canceled for the week so I am going back home until Sunday. I'll probably be studying for my midterm and writing an essay.
My school will still be in session tomorrow.
I just hope I can still go to Disneyland on Monday. *crosses fingers*
Posted by Squish (Member # 9191) on :
Thanks for the previous info on Cerritos. My sister and her husband are currently on their 2-week honeymoon and I wanted to make sure their home would be alright. I'm terrible with California geography. I'm assuming that their businesses in Huntington Beach and Torrance would both alright as well?
I hope everyone in those affected areas are safe and sound...
Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
Huntington Beach is in the same boat as us-- no danger, just bad air.
Torrance is in no danger right now but there are reports of some (cold) ash falling and smoke (from the southern fires.)
Posted by Lyrhawn (Member # 7039) on :
The worry is that just like other recent disasters, not only will insurance companies refuse to pay out, or refuse to pay out full benefits, but they will also refuse to further insure residents.
It's all the more ridiculous considering the tens of billions of dollars that the insurance company gets out of California.
Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
There's a California law requiring homeowner's insurance (before you can even close on the house, you have to have the policy in place.) So if companies refuse to insure residents in certain areas, that's going to cause big problems for the housing industry.
Posted by Dragon (Member # 3670) on :
Question: that google map just stops at the border, but I can't imagine that the fire is doing the same. Anyone know if it's this bad in Mexico?
Posted by James Tiberius Kirk (Member # 2832) on :
Not sure. I seem to recall hearing that Tijuana offered fire crews to help, though.
--j_k
Posted by saxon75 (Member # 4589) on :
I haven't been following any actual news stories about Mexico but the satellite views they've been showing of the Southern California fires also seem to show a number of smoke plumes coming from Baja.
Posted by Lyrhawn (Member # 7039) on :
quote:Originally posted by ketchupqueen: There's a California law requiring homeowner's insurance (before you can even close on the house, you have to have the policy in place.) So if companies refuse to insure residents in certain areas, that's going to cause big problems for the housing industry.
Some companies have pulled out of the entire state. A couple companies are in wait and see mode, but if a couple more go, then they'll all go. If they all pull out of the state, it'll be a huge loss of revenue, but they might see it as a long term savings considering all the problems the state has.
If they refuse to, then you're going to probably see the same thing in California as you get in Florida, which is the state insuring people. But that's extremely dicey for the first few years until a really big fund is built up. If there is a major disaster and the fund isn't there, the state will have to pay through the nose, and which point I think the less vulnerable parts of the state will start to turn on the more vulnerable parts. But that's just guesswork, it might be that insurance companies are too drawn by the cash in the area.
I'll tell you one thing though, if they stay in the area, take Californians money, and refuse to pay out, we might finally get a discussion on insurance companies jilting the insured. It's been happening to millions of people with medical insurance with no national outcry, but maybe this will be what it takes for some major insurance reform.
Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
Good news tonight on several fronts-- the National Weather Service has dropped the high wind warnings. Wind speed at 11 was down to 1 MPH in San Diego, 8 MPH in some of the more northern areas. The Malibu and Santa Clarita fires are mostly contained, and the San Diego fire's spread is slowing somewhat as the wind turns against it, although it's not anywhere near contained, of course.
Unfortunately they're still having high gusts in Orange County, where there are two fires going, and in Lake Arrowhead property damage and evacuations continue. Some Santa Clarita and Malibu firefighters are now being deployed to Orange County and other areas. The current count is 20 wildfires. I was sickened to hear for the first time (I haven't been much on extensive coverage, just burn updates) that the Lake Arrowhead fire was arson. That really angers me that someone would do that.
Nothing like a local disaster to get me to watch the local news (which I almost never do.) Fritz (Coleman, NBC 4 weatherman) says temperatures should continue to drop and he's hoping for more moisture by Friday (apparently the pressure from the fires is keeping clouds from getting in at all right now.) He even predicted a 10% chance of showers on Sat., but as he said, that's more hoping than anything. I guess it's something to pray for, anyway.
Posted by baduffer (Member # 10469) on :
After finally getting to see some national coverage last night I was struck by the comparisons being may to Katrina. Brian Williams made the comment that "seeing a clown entertaining the kids" at Qualcomm he knew it wasn't Katrina. The national and even local authorities are pointing out how they are doing so much better, having learned lessons from Katrina. I lived in New Orleans and I live here now. I love both places but...
The situations are not the same. People that evacuated in Katrina had to go at least 70 miles, not 10. The weather would never allow an outdoor stadium be an acceptable evacuation center. The areas being evacuated in San Diego are suburban not urban. Let's see how it would go if we had to evacuate the Barrio Logan, South Park, City Heights, etc. Many of the people that have been evacuated own homes in southern CA. where the median house price is >$400,000. They have transportation. Contrast that with the New Orleans population. There is nowhere in San Diego that corresponds to the "projects" in the New Orleans.
Yes, San Diego people and government are rightly proud of how they have responded but let's not pat ourselves on the back too hard. We have not really faced a Katrina situation and I hope we never do.
Posted by Jhai (Member # 5633) on :
I think you're misrepresenting the facts, a bit, Lyrhawn. The only real news in your link (rather than speculation) is that (a) some homeowners didn't choose high enough policy limits for their insurance coverage in the 2003 fires (and very high policy limits do exist, if you're willing to shop around and pay a higher premium) and (b) One insurance company pulled out of California because the state government wouldn't let it raise premiums to the level it felt necessary to cover the risk Californian homes posed.
Neither one of these actions seems to be dastardly dealings by the insurance companies. If you're willing to pay a high enough premium, you can literally have anything insured. And if enough people are willing to pay high enough premiums (and are allowed to by the state), then insurance companies will find it worthwhile to set their actuaries to work to precisely calculate the risk, and keep premiums at a competitive price. Might now be a higher price in SoCal, of course, since the risk of fire, from a Bayesian standpoint, has gone up, but that's not the insurance companies' fault.
Also, according to the Office of Insurance Regulation in Florida ( here), there are currently 25 companies, including one run by the state, offering home owners insurance. Doesn't quite sound like all the insurance agencies have pulled out of the state.
Posted by Zhil (Member # 10504) on :
My family lives in San Diego, and last I called, they said they had evacuated... but then decided the fire wouldn't reach our house, so they went back home.
I'm a little worried...
Posted by fugu13 (Member # 2859) on :
Oh, it changes the probability estimate even from a classical perspective . . .
Posted by Lyrhawn (Member # 7039) on :
quote:Originally posted by Jhai: I think you're misrepresenting the facts, a bit, Lyrhawn. The only real news in your link (rather than speculation) is that (a) some homeowners didn't choose high enough policy limits for their insurance coverage in the 2003 fires (and very high policy limits do exist, if you're willing to shop around and pay a higher premium) and (b) One insurance company pulled out of California because the state government wouldn't let it raise premiums to the level it felt necessary to cover the risk Californian homes posed.
Neither one of these actions seems to be dastardly dealings by the insurance companies. If you're willing to pay a high enough premium, you can literally have anything insured. And if enough people are willing to pay high enough premiums (and are allowed to by the state), then insurance companies will find it worthwhile to set their actuaries to work to precisely calculate the risk, and keep premiums at a competitive price. Might now be a higher price in SoCal, of course, since the risk of fire, from a Bayesian standpoint, has gone up, but that's not the insurance companies' fault.
Also, according to the Office of Insurance Regulation in Florida ( here), there are currently 25 companies, including one run by the state, offering home owners insurance. Doesn't quite sound like all the insurance agencies have pulled out of the state.
Sorry, I didn't say anywhere that everyone had pulled out of Florida except for the government insurance, but I can see how you might have assumed that. Fact of the matter is Florida's state run insurance IS in something of a precarious situation. If a major hurricane hits Florida, there won't be enough money to pay out and they'll have to raise the cash somehow. That problem goes away in a couple years when the nest egg is built up, but it's still there. Are we not allowed to discuss potential pitfalls here?
And is it also not true that insurance companies in Florida, and especially most recently in Katrina denied payments to the insured? A lot of them had to sue to get payouts. So it's not like insurance companies are skipping through a field of tulips and I'm making up stuff against them.
And I even said in my post that I was just guessing, but I guess I what, have to have my post notarized or something?
Posted by BannaOj (Member # 3206) on :
I don't know yet about my brother and sister-in-law's home in Fallbrook. (The fire nearest them was the "Rice" fire, near but not on Camp Pendleton). They are safe and out of the area, but on all the "fire maps" their home is exactly on the edge of the fire damage, so it is difficult to say for sure.
Posted by ketchupqueen (Member # 6877) on :
Last night Camp Pendleton was burning in two places. Did they get that out?
Posted by BannaOj (Member # 3206) on :
Nope, a new fire has come up too... now it's burning in three places. The worry is that an onshore wind could actually push the more western blazes on Camp Pendleton towards Fallbrook from the other direction that hasn't burned yet.
Ugh. We had to watch a video in ballet class this morning because no one could BREATHE. Thank goodness I'm asthmatic. Gonna have to wear my bandana like an outlaw tomorrow.
We don't have ac so all the windows are open, and it isn't helping things.
Posted by BannaOj (Member # 3206) on :
They were saying on the news, if you have a humidifier with an air filter, keep running it, so that the air filter will trap the larger particulates, and rinse the filter frequently. It's not great but better than nothing.
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I've been busy with life and such, but I'll probably be back eventually. Meanwhile, I am still checking my email, and can be reached at rivkag AT gmail. ![[Frown]](frown.gif)
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