California Wildland Fires (Los Angeles, Weed: 2014, homes, college)

[eccotecc]

I'm really feeling bad for all the folks who have been displaced by evacuation, or have suffered major property loss. Recently in our area we've had three major fires in the past month. Our area was evacuated during the Bridge Fire and we were given 5 minutes to get out. The order was to just leave. The fire burned to within literally feet of our subdivision in Ponderosa Basin. Not more than a week later another fire started in an area near Bass Lake which is still burning but almost 100% contained.

Now we have a huge fire burning in El Dorado County that has grown to 80,000 acres. Then there is the fire in Weed.

I'm just wondering how so many fires could be started in such a short amount of time. I'm wondering if these fires are accidental or intentional.

Any thoughts are appreciated.

[NoMoreSnowForMe]

I think the fires are the worst consequence of the drought. Just awful.

[jbunniii]

The El Dorado fire was apparently arson:

King Fire Update: Arson Suspect Pleads Not Guilty; Some Homes Destroyed | KQED News Fix

[NewToCA]

Effort to fight the King Fire in El Dorado county:

Total Fire Personnel: 4,936
Total Fire Engines: 377
Total Fire crews: 143
Total Helicopters: 15
Total Dozers: 74
Total Water Tenders: 78

King Fire General Information

[Bulldogdad]

100+ years of fire suppression coupled with California's climate.

Tinder box.

[Chimérique]

Education for fire safety and first response. A culture that instills fire readiness and first response so we can all mitigate any and all fires when they first occur.

The toughest and most severe penalties and punishment for arson in the nation should be a priority for California.

RAIN! My only complaint about California weather in general is the very long DRY season.

It's this time of the year when I am fully ready for a rainstorm at least once every week. A good rain to clean the sidewalks and streets, naturally hydrate our yards, trees, etc.

[DMenscha]

Originally Posted by eccotecc

I'm just wondering how so many fires could be started in such a short amount of time. I'm wondering if these fires are accidental or intentional.

Any thoughts are appreciated.

As a former firefighter with USFS and CalFire, I think you would be amazed at how many fires occur each day throughout the state. Most of them get knocked down at 5 acres or less. And most of them are ignited by stupidity or just complete carelessness.

Our motto (Unofficial of course) "without stupid people, we would be out of a job."

[Tulemutt]

Why fewer acres have burned this year despite California drought - SFGate

[chuckmann]

Originally Posted by Tulemutt

Why fewer acres have burned this year despite California drought - SFGate

This reference is just another "we really dont know" articles. The AGW crowd will claim AGW, people like me will say "luck of the draw" or "random chance" or the like.

In my youth, I came to associate the start of College with fires in the Los Angeles area. Dont know why. So of those wildfires were arson, some were not. So I recognize my anecdotal recollections are worthless. We just dont know.

[FVWinters]

Originally Posted by Tulemutt

Why fewer acres have burned this year despite California drought - SFGate

Yet.

Fire season isn't over and if this coming fall and winter is as dry and snowless as the last one, it won't be.