Gov. Brown's Statement on Recent Fires

[BB_210]

Global warming, err, climate change has caused the wettest season in a long time last year with caused a lot of growth (and broke a dam). The same climate change caused the massive growth to get dry and be fuel for fires. This has nothing to do with the fact that this happens every year in CA. Also the climate change has caused massive homelessness in CA which in turn has caused more of these people to make camp fires that ignite brush fires.

One more thing, Santa Ana Winds are now called Climate Change Winds.

[CA4Now]

"Ominously, of the 20 largest California wildfires since 1932, most — 14 — have occurred since 2000. The five largest all have.

Brown warned about this in July, long before the October wine country wildfires, the most destructive in state history, and the current Southern California blazes."

Gov. Jerry Brown warns climate change has us 'on the road to hell.' California's wildfires show he's on to something - LA Times

[1AngryTaxPayer]

Originally Posted by CA4Now

"Ominously, of the 20 largest California wildfires since 1932, most — 14 — have occurred since 2000. The five largest all have.

Brown warned about this in July, long before the October wine country wildfires, the most destructive in state history, and the current Southern California blazes."

Gov. Jerry Brown warns climate change has us 'on the road to hell.' California's wildfires show he's on to something - LA Times

Such a hard bet. It's like saying the Browns are going to suck next year.

[BB_210]

Originally Posted by CA4Now

"Ominously, of the 20 largest California wildfires since 1932, most — 14 — have occurred since 2000. The five largest all have.

Brown warned about this in July, long before the October wine country wildfires, the most destructive in state history, and the current Southern California blazes."

Gov. Jerry Brown warns climate change has us 'on the road to hell.' California's wildfires show he's on to something - LA Times

Has nothing to do with a massive population growth in the area. Or the effects such as homeless campfires, arsonist, recreational vehicle accidents. Nope not all.

[BeauCharles]

Correlation does not necessarily imply causation Jerry. There are lots of factors for the upswing in wildfires the past 30 years or so in addition to climate. The population of the state is far greater than in years past when fires were less frequent. Many more people are living in the mountains or in the new suburbs that abut wooded areas. Human activity is responsible for like 90% of wildfires in the state.

As far as climate goes there is not "new normal" for a geographic spot such as this in a transition zone between various desert and Mediterranean climate zones. California has had wild swings in precipitation long before the arrival of Europeans to record it. That doesn't mean there's not a human element to global warming. There probably is. Its just too early to say its why our local climate is what it is lately.

[expatCA]

Originally Posted by BeauCharles

Correlation does not necessarily imply causation Jerry. There are lots of factors for the upswing in wildfires the past 30 years or so in addition to climate. The population of the state is far greater than in years past when fires were less frequent. Many more people are living in the mountains or in the new suburbs that abut wooded areas. Human activity is responsible for like 90% of wildfires in the state.

As far as climate goes there is not "new normal" for a geographic spot such as this in a transition zone between various desert and Mediterranean climate zones. California has had wild swings in precipitation long before the arrival of Europeans to record it. That doesn't mean there's not a human element to global warming. There probably is. Its just too early to say its why our local climate is what it is lately.

So true, do humans impact the climate, etc, yes for sure, but fires in CA are normal and as you noted mainly caused by humans and related activity like downed power lines.

Drought/Dry weather and winds obviously contribute to it, but that is normal for CA and is really extremely common in SoCal due to the natural climate for the area. The water used is in most cases brought in from other areas.

Climate change rhetoric has left reality behind by both parties and has become a political issue.

[JGC97]

129 million trees in California died and of that, 27 million since November 2016. Partly caused by the drought but also the bark beetle. Even with last year's record rainfall in most of the state, the damage is done and nothing will revive those dead trees. Agencies responsible for removing said trees have been slow in doing so, leaving a populated area like a tinder box.

It isn't any wonder fire fighters are having a difficult time getting a handle on the SoCal fires right now. It doesn't help that the Santa Ana winds aren't cooperating by staying quiet.

It's stupid for the governor to put the blame entirely on climate change. He should do a little more research before making such comments but then again attributing these fires - in part - to the previous drought doesn't fit his agenda. Climate change does.

[CA4Now]

Originally Posted by BeauCharles

Correlation does not necessarily imply causation Jerry. There are lots of factors for the upswing in wildfires the past 30 years or so in addition to climate.

And why bother to read the whole article?

Neither Brown nor anyone else is claiming that California’s escalating wildfires are totally caused by global warming. But it’s a contributing factor, they say.

“I understand that he’s being hyperbolic and ultra-dramatic,” Weaver says. “But when he says ‘all hell is breaking loose,’ the governor is right-on. There’s a lot of evidence that we’re seeing an increase in extremes of weather and climate.”

[Kaphawoman]

Originally Posted by 1AngryTaxPayer

40 million people and we are building homes in the forest. What could possibly go wrong.

Well Brown went down to Mexico and said "ya'll are welcome" to California whether legally or not, so 40 million will soon feel like a pittance.

[CA4Now]

Originally Posted by Kaphawoman

Well Brown went down to Mexico and said "ya'll are welcome" to California whether legally or not, so 40 million will soon feel like a pittance.

Context is everything. And Brown actually didn't go to Mexico; Mexican President Enrique Pena came to Los Angeles.

In August, 2014, Brown and Peña attended a meeting with business officials in Los Angeles. During his speech, Peña said he wanted to make life better for Mexicans on both sides of the border.

"This is the other Mexico," he said of the United States, which has about 11 million Mexican immigrants.

In introducing Peña Nieto on Monday, Brown spoke about the interwoven histories of Mexico and California and nodded to the immigrants in the room, saying it didn't matter whether they had permission to be in the United States.

"You're all welcome in California," he said.

Jerry Brown: Immigrants, citizen or not, 'welcome in California' - LA Times