TrueTexan wrote: Tue Jan 14, 2025 12:51 pm We got a whole bunch of people from California after the big fires in Northern California that TOS said was caused by y’all not raking up the leaves. The joke here was the Texans and Okies went to California during the Dust Bowl, now their descendants are returning home.

A “particularly dangerous situation” warning once again went into effect for swaths of Los Angeles and Ventura counties, starting at 3 a.m. Wednesday. The National Weather Service reserves the designation for signifying an extreme red flag warning, when especially hazardous fire weather conditions are expected.

Palisades fire

Burned 23,713 acres and numerous homes, businesses and landmarks in Pacific Palisades and westward along Pacific Coast Highway, toward Malibu. As of 3:20 a.m. Wednesday, the fire was 18% contained, up from 17% early Tuesday. Many parts of Pacific Palisades, Malibu, Calabasas, Brentwood and Encino are under evacuation orders or warnings. There are 1,280 structures that have been destroyed in the Palisades fire and 204 that have been damaged. However, officials are also still doing damage assessments, so those numbers are likely to increase. Authorities estimate that 5,300 structures have burned in that fire. Officials have confirmed that nine people are dead from the Palisades fire.

Eaton fire

Burned 14,117 acres and many structures in Altadena and Pasadena. As of 3:20 a.m. Wednesday morning, the fire was 35% contained, the same as early Tuesday. Damage assessments have confirmed 2,722 structures destroyed in the Eaton fire, though inspection teams are still combing through the fire footprint, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. Officials estimate that 7,000 structures were damaged or destroyed; structures can include homes, businesses, smaller outbuildings, sheds and even vehicles. Officials confirmed 16 are dead from the Eaton fire.

These next few hours will be critical for firefighters battling the Los Angeles wildfires, as dangerous winds fueling an extreme fire threat are set to last until roughly mid-afternoon in portions of Ventura and Los Angeles counties. Winds should ease even further by 6 p.m. PT – a reprieve for those fighting and enduring fires that have killed at least 25 people. A CNN analysis of the most recent data available from the 10 largest US cities and other comparable departments shows the Los Angeles Fire Department is less staffed than almost any other major city. Experts have said no fire department in the world would have been able to take on the combination of factors that resulted in the blazes.

Palisades fire

Containment: The fire was 19% contained as of 7:20 Wednesday morning, up from 17% early Tuesday. It has burned 23,713 acres. Damage: Officials have confirmed 1,280 structures are destroyed and 204 damaged, with totals expected to rise. Lives lost: Officials have confirmed that nine people are dead from the Palisades fire.

Eaton fire

Containment: The fire was 45% contained as of 7:20 a.m. Wednesday morning, up from 35% early Tuesday. It has burned 14,117 acres. Damage: Officials have confirmed 4,627 structures destroyed and 486 damaged, with totals expected to rise. Lives lost: Officials have confirmed 16 are dead from the Eaton fire.

The Los Angeles city attorney’s office is prosecuting two men for violating fire-related curfews while also asking the public for help identifying potential price gougers. City Atty. Hydee Feldstein Soto is charging two men in their mid-40s with breaking the 6 p.m.-to-6 a.m. curfew established on Jan. 9 in the aftermath of the devastating Eaton and Palisades fires.

In the Beverly Grove neighborhood of Los Angeles, the asking rent for a two-bedroom condo jumped from $5,000 to $8,000 in the wake of the fires that started last week and have left thousands homeless. In Venice, a single-family house saw a jump of nearly 60%. In Santa Monica, an owner listed a five-bedroom house for $15,000 above what they were asking last year — a gain of more than 100%.

Los Angeles police have arrested two more arson suspects, alleging they ignited small fires across the city while the Los Angeles County District Attorney charged two others with deliberately setting fires in the San Gabriel Valley. During a news conference this morning, LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell said his officers made two arrests Tuesday just outside the fire zone. Officers responded to a radio call near the intersection of Glen Oaks and Van Nuys Boulevard at about 5:15 p.m. and detained a possible arson suspect.

Zillow, the popular real estate listing website, allows viewers to see a history of rent changes on a listing, which have been featured in social media posts. Emily McDonald, a spokesperson for the company, said Zillow has started to use its “internal systems” to find potential violations and remove listings “with price increases that exceed the state of emergency threshold.” “Zillow takes the responsibility consumers place on us to promote fair renting practices seriously — and even more so during times of crisis,” McDonald said. “If renters see a potential violation, we encourage them to report the listing to Zillow and California authorities.”

A man has been arrested in connection with a fire that erupted in San Bernardino County on Wednesday afternoon as multiple wildfires continued to burn in Southern California and the region was under a red flag warning. Crews responded to a quickly spreading brush fire on Little Mountain Drive and West Edgehill Road around 2 p.m., according to the San Bernardino County Fire Protection District. They were able to halt forward progress shortly before 4 p.m., at which point the fire had grown to 34 acres. The San Bernardino Police Department also responded to the incident and later arrested a man on suspicion of two felony charges, including a count of reckless burning.

Palisades fire Containment: The fire was 27% contained as of about 8 p.m. Thursday, up from 22% in the early morning. It has burned 23,713 acres. Damage: Officials have confirmed 3,328 structures have been destroyed and 591 damaged, with totals expected to rise. Lives lost: Officials have confirmed that 10 people are dead from the Palisades fire.

Eaton fire

Containment: The fire was 55% contained as of 6:20 a.m. Thursday morning, up from 45% early Wednesday. It has burned 14,117 acres. Damage: Officials have confirmed 6,782 structures destroyed and 773 damaged, with totals expected to rise. Lives lost: Officials have confirmed 17 are dead from the Eaton fire.

Palisades fire

Containment: The fire was 39% contained as of Friday evening, up from 27% Thursday evening. It has burned 23,713 acres. Damage: Officials have confirmed 3,501 structures have been destroyed and 603 damaged, with totals expected to rise. Lives lost: Officials have confirmed that 10 people are dead from the Palisades fire. Evacuations: Some mandatory evacuation zones were opened to residents only on Thursday, and more followed on Friday. Residents must bring a valid photo ID that shows their name, photo and physical address, such as a driver’s license, according to the L.A. County Sheriff’s Department. But many parts of Pacific Palisades, Malibu, Calabasas, Brentwood and Encino are under evacuation orders or warnings. Get more details on closures, evacuations, shelters.

Eaton fire

Containment: The fire was 65% contained as of 7 a.m. Friday morning, up from 55% early Thursday. It has burned 14,117 acres. Damage: Officials have confirmed 7,193 structures destroyed and 805 damaged, with totals expected to rise. Lives lost: Officials have confirmed 17 are dead from the Eaton fire.

The union that represents more than 3,000 Los Angeles city firefighters renewed its support for Fire Chief Kristin Crowley on Friday, denouncing an anonymous letter that accused her of mishandling the response to the massively destructive Palisades fire.

United Firefighters of Los Angeles City Local 112 condemned a letter circulated this week — one that claimed to be from “retired and active LAFD chief officers” but contained no names or signatures — saying Crowley had “failed” the residents of Los Angeles and lost the confidence of Mayor Karen Bass.

TrueTexan wrote: Sat Jan 18, 2025 12:32 pm I have a question for those living out there in California. What do you do with all of the debris from the fire? Unlike a forest fire where the burn area is reclaimed by Mother Nature the debris from these fiercest will contain toxic substances and other stuff that can’t be reclaimed by Mother Nature.

highdesert wrote: Sat Jan 18, 2025 12:44 pm

TrueTexan wrote: Sat Jan 18, 2025 12:32 pm I have a question for those living out there in California. What do you do with all of the debris from the fire? Unlike a forest fire where the burn area is reclaimed by Mother Nature the debris from these fiercest will contain toxic substances and other stuff that can’t be reclaimed by Mother Nature.

Good question TT, I don't know. I assume since LA County DPH posted these signs that there are experts who will check each lot and determine if the contents go to regular landfills or special ones.

Featureless probably knows since he deals with environmental issues.

Palisades fire

Containment: The fire was 49% contained as of 7 p.m. Saturday evening. It has burned 23,713 acres.
Damage: Officials have confirmed 3,856 structures have been destroyed and 624 damaged, with totals expected to rise. Lives lost: Officials have confirmed that 10 people are dead from the Palisades fire.

Eaton fire

Containment: The fire was 73% contained as of 7 p.m. Saturday evening. It has burned 14,117 acres.
Damage: Officials have confirmed 8,988 structures destroyed and 972 damaged, with totals expected to rise. Lives lost: Officials have confirmed 17 are dead from the Eaton fire.

President-elect Donald Trump, who is scheduled to be sworn into office on Monday, has announced that his first official trip as the nation’s leader will be to Southern California to tour the devastated areas.

Firefighters stand in formation as they listen to a daily Eaton fire briefing at the Rose Bowl on Friday. The iconic stadium has become a staging area for more than 4,000 firefighters and National Guard troops.

featureless wrote: Sat Jan 18, 2025 2:40 pm

highdesert wrote: Sat Jan 18, 2025 12:44 pm

TrueTexan wrote: Sat Jan 18, 2025 12:32 pm I have a question for those living out there in California. What do you do with all of the debris from the fire? Unlike a forest fire where the burn area is reclaimed by Mother Nature the debris from these fiercest will contain toxic substances and other stuff that can’t be reclaimed by Mother Nature.

Good question TT, I don't know. I assume since LA County DPH posted these signs that there are experts who will check each lot and determine if the contents go to regular landfills or special ones.

Featureless probably knows since he deals with environmental issues.

There are various classifications for landfills. It's safe to assume all of the debris will have heavy metals or other contaminants and be disposed of at varying different category landfills, including surface soils. All the shit gets tested and classified. Super cheap process, I'm sure. The work will also likely be subject to Tribal monitoring to ensure tribal cultural resources are not destroyed and/or are properly documented. It's going to take months if not years.

Palisades fire

Containment: The fire remained 56% contained as of Sunday afternoon. It has burned more than 23,700 acres. Damage: Officials have confirmed 4,996 structures have been destroyed and 707 damaged, with totals expected to rise. Lives lost: Officials have confirmed that 10 people are dead from the Palisades fire.

Eaton fire

Containment: The fire was 81% contained as of Sunday afternoon. It has burned more than 14,000 acres. Damage: Officials have confirmed 9,366 structures have been destroyed and 1,062 damaged, with totals expected to rise. Lives lost: Officials have confirmed 17 are dead from the Eaton fire.

Southern California is heading into a day of its most extreme fire weather conditions — an unprecedented fifth time the National Weather Service office has sounded the alarm this season of a “particularly dangerous situation.”

The “particularly dangerous situation” warning is set to go in effect Monday at noon and last through Tuesday at 10 a.m. for swaths of Los Angeles County and most of Ventura County.

Peak gusts of between 50 mph to 70 mph are possible along the coast and valleys, while sustained winds are expected to be between 25 mph to 40 mph.

Isolated gusts of up to 100 mph are possible in the mountains and foothills, while sustained winds there are expected to be between 30 mph to 50 mph, Schoenfeld said.

highdesert wrote: Mon Jan 20, 2025 8:01 am

featureless wrote: Sat Jan 18, 2025 2:40 pm

highdesert wrote: Sat Jan 18, 2025 12:44 pm

TrueTexan wrote: Sat Jan 18, 2025 12:32 pm I have a question for those living out there in California. What do you do with all of the debris from the fire? Unlike a forest fire where the burn area is reclaimed by Mother Nature the debris from these fiercest will contain toxic substances and other stuff that can’t be reclaimed by Mother Nature.

Good question TT, I don't know. I assume since LA County DPH posted these signs that there are experts who will check each lot and determine if the contents go to regular landfills or special ones.

Featureless probably knows since he deals with environmental issues.

There are various classifications for landfills. It's safe to assume all of the debris will have heavy metals or other contaminants and be disposed of at varying different category landfills, including surface soils. All the shit gets tested and classified. Super cheap process, I'm sure. The work will also likely be subject to Tribal monitoring to ensure tribal cultural resources are not destroyed and/or are properly documented. It's going to take months if not years.

Thanks featureless, I knew you would know. The only reason I speculated was that years ago when I worked in a large hotel, it originally had a full service garage in the basement with gas pumps. The GM assigned me the project of getting the pumps and underground tanks removed and that was my into to California's environmental laws. The gas tanks leaked of course and contaminated the soil with PCBs, that dirt was removed and trucked to Fresno and the hotel owns it.

The NWS forecast office in Lake Charles, La. issued its first-ever blizzard warning on Tuesday, for the combination of heavy snow and high winds. The snow will move east Tuesday, affecting coastal areas all the way to the Florida Panhandle and southern Carolinas.
New Orleans is also preparing for what is likely to be the city's all-time biggest snowstorm based on modern records taken at their current location. The 5 to 7 inches of snow that is forecast for New Orleans would exceed January snowfall so far in the Twin Cities.

Amid an extended red flag warning, the Hughes fire exploded north of Castaic on Wednesday while another fire ignited shortly after 11 p.m. in Bel-Air on the eastern side of the 405 Freeway in the Sepulveda Pass.

Palisades fire

Containment: The fire was 70% contained as of Wednesday evening. It has burned more than 23,400 acres. Damage: Officials have confirmed, so far, 6,662 structures have been destroyed and 890 damaged. Lives lost: Officials have confirmed that 11 people are dead from the Palisades fire.

Eaton fire

Containment: The fire was 95% contained as of 7 p.m. Wednesday. It has burned more than 14,000 acres. Damage: Officials have so far tallied 9,418 structures destroyed and 1,073 damaged. Lives lost: Officials have confirmed 17 are dead from the Eaton fire.

Firefighters worked overnight to get the upper hand on a fast-moving fire that exploded off the 405 Freeway near the Getty Center Wednesday evening. Los Angeles Fire Department crews responded to the Sepulveda Fire burning in medium to heavy brush in the area of North Sepulveda Boulevard and Getty Center Drive around 11 p.m. Winds gusting up to 25 mph helped drive the fire as it quickly grew to 40 acres but firefighters responded aggressively with multiple water drops from helicopters.

“It always amazes me when firefighters make water drops here in the Sepulveda Pass … It’s a narrow pass, they’re dodging power lines and other obstructions. You need a lot of skill to fly and drop water here in the Sepulveda Pass,” KTLA’s Eric Spillman said. Evacuation warnings were issued for parts of Brentwood and Bel Air as well as Mount Saint Mary’s University. The Hotel Angeleno next to the 405 Freeway was also evacuated but firefighters’ efforts stopped the forward progress on the blaze around 2 a.m. The flames did not reach any of the area homes and all evacuations were lifted as of 2:30 a.m., according to an update from Cal Fire.