As I read about these fires and remember so many of our predictions that fires would increase in the West, I am concerned about what it means for their future. In typical fashion, the dark child in the White House is tweeting heartless and blaming responses, with zero acknowledgement to the fact that this catastrophe is due to the increasing heat and drought of climate change.
From Washington Post's Energy writer Dino Granddoni: — "How do wildfires such as the Woolsey Fire in Southern California and Camp Fire in the north intensify so severely?: “It began with scant rainfall and abnormally warm temperatures which parched the landscape and created tinderbox conditions,” The Post’s Matthew Cappucci and Jason Samenow report. “Then came howling winds that fanned the flames, once the fires were sparked. And, in an environment of rising temperatures, climate change is amplifying their potential intensity.” They add that California’s fire season usually ends in November or December when wintertime rains arrive, “but this fall, hot and dry weather has persisted longer, and the rains have yet to come — fitting into a trend that is potentially expanding and intensifying wildfire season.” -- 11/12/18
California wildfires are back, and the winds aren't helping much either. My heart sinks (more like thuds) when I see how people lose everything, and some even lose their lives. I cannot imagine their horror as they desperately flee through the fires, and then later find out they lost everything.
Has anyone thrown cards, RV, or seen an end or solutions to these wildfires?
Thank you all.
My sources so far:
http://fortune.com/2018/11/08/california-fires-camp-fire-chico-butte-county-wildfires-google-map/
Hi Cafenoir, I moved your post from the broader topic on all environmental disasters because you have initiated an important topic we need to follow separately.
In fact, since climate-related environmental disasters are going to be increasing over the next decade, they will move to the top of people's minds, along with the need for guidance and a compassionate response to the victims. We've predicted these coming fires, along with storms and floods.
The damage of climate change is the reason I started posting predictions on this website in the first place. We got caught up in politics here is because climate change is driven and accelerated by the GOP.
Only when we get true public servants in charge of our world, i.e., people who serve the public, not someone's pocketbook, will our government help at the source of the problem.
As always, there is a silver lining right now in this horrible catastrophe: California, the home of so many celebrities are pushing back hard on Donald Trump's heartless and climate denying response. Katy Perry, Neil Young,and Rod Stewart send shaming tweets to Donald Trump for heartless response to the fires. Then Trump changed his turn a little.
Wondering if these celebrity responses will help the environmental movement across the U.S.
Paradise Lost:
As of 4 minutes ago there have been explosive increases in fires and a grim expectation of finding more bodies in the charred remnants of the Sierra Nevada retirement community previously known as Paradise.
With a toll of 42 dead, the fire is already the deadliest in California history, and more than 200 people still remain missing.
The Butte County sheriff announced a large increase in the number of specialists trained in finding human remains.
13 additional units with 150 extra search-and-rescue personnel, cadaver dogs and two portable, temporary morgue units from the military have been added.
The sheriff is also seeking to bring in a DNA analysis machine to expedite the identification of remains.
A friend from the area sent me this report this morning. I was struck by what he said about the winds: The wind driven fires in the last two years are of a different magnitude, something not seen in a very long time if ever. Nothing can stop the wall of flames driven by strong winds as they approach urban areas.The fire brands spread too quickly to be controlled.
This is climate change and it will spur action.
"Paradise, CA was a delightful community nestled in the Ponderosa Pines East of Chico, CA. Its population was 27,000. Many older folks had retired there. The towns are located at the North end of the Sacramento
Valley. The Feather River Canyon is nearby which is considered a scenic attraction. All of that changed several days ago in the span of one day. Sparks from a malfunctioning high voltage line ignited the brush below and very strong winds drove the fire in the direction of Paradise. While some structures did survive, for all practical purposes Paradise, CA no longer exists.
There is a single highway that links Paradise to adjacent major North - South routes. Some of the video taken by escaping residents shows them driving through a tunnel of flames on each side of the road. Most survived, but by yesterday, the death count was 43. I expect it will be much higher.
Surrounding towns to the East such as Magalia and Concow also sustained heavy damage.
The wind driven fires in the last two years are of a different magnitude, something not seen in a very long time if ever. Nothing can stop the wall of flames driven by strong winds as they approach urban areas.
The fire brands spread too quickly to be controlled.
There is a video on the Internet of a firenado that developed during the Carr fire that destroyed a portion of Redding, CA. It’s brief, maybe 12 seconds, but instructive and visually stunning. At one point, a large, wide column of debris laden rotating air flashes into a mass of flame whose temperature was estimated to be 2,700 degrees F.
The Woolsley Fire in the Malibu area is being driven by Santa Ana winds. These are strong, hot winds that arise in the desert areas and blow toward the sea. Crews fighting this fire won’t have a chance to control it until the winds subside .
Meanwhile, no rain in sight. It’s being pushed to the far North."
It is heartbreaking. And yes, beyond any "normal" fire season in all ways. Unimaginable how fast it grows and spreads.
Listened to someone in the television industry (and sharing on a talk show) describe her loss of her home, all her possessions, even her grown boys' baby books.
Over and over she said how grateful she was. She grabbed a few baby photos and she, her ranch hand and her horse(s) were all able to evacuate in time.
You could tell she was in shock, and continuously having to catch the sob in her throat wanting out, but saying her gratitude.
Friend on the east coast has invited her there for Thanksgiving. Asked if she'd rebuild , she couldn't go there yet.
Three to five years clean out alone. But again, grateful she had just previously purchased a small home elsewhere.
Grateful she was able to have afforded that, filled with pain and loss for those that do not.
My heart is filled for everyone. Saying prayers, sending love, mercy, compassion, and healing and coping energy in all ways.
My thoughts and prayers are with these poor people in California. In the September Reading the Future session, I felt California was falling in the water for sometimes this fall. Although the way it is said seems to be a tragic thing, I felt it is actually going to be a great relief when it happens. Let's hope it happens soon.
It was mentioned today the Camp Fire progressed at a rate of 2 miles per minute on the initial day of the fire when it was wind driven.
This interjects a hefty dose of reality regarding outrunning a fire under those circumstances. It also explains why fighting this type of fire on the ground is futile.
It shows in the death count which is 48 with some 228 persons still unaccounted for as a consequence of the fire.
Just want to let folks know, if you want to contribute to an org rescuing animals in Butte County CA, here they are:
North Valley Animal Disaster Group
What's odd is that UC Chico closed til after Thanksgiving, but in the Malibu fire area, Pepperdine U made people shelter in place (I'd be outta there!).
The future is not great in terms of fires. These fires are mostly caused by over-development and high voltage electric lines above ground (many are also caused by intentional arson, but these were not). It's so dry here in San Diego right now we all get Red Alerts on our phones every morning to take precautions and be vigilant if we see a fire starting somewhere. We haven't had soaking rain here in nearly a year. Most local municipalities are beholden to the real estate development industry. I'm not optimistic...
Each day the list of missing people climbs in the Paradise fire. Right now over 1,000 are missing and 71 are confirmed dead. 1,000. Can you imagine?
The human spirit is strong and caring. Here is a story that could go under our "positive "section but since it is fire related I will put it here.
A Paradise girls H.S. volleyball decided that they still wanted to play their semi final volleyball match, even though they had lost all their uniforms in the fire.. Their opponents had a surprise for them.
When Paradise Adventist arrived at Forest Lake, players were handed brand new uniforms with the name Paradise printed on the uniform, knee pads and socks for every player. They also collected a room full of goods and materials for the families. The two teams even had a meal for players and families and when it was over the coach and players were handed $300 gift cards.