LA County Fires / Palisades Fire

[Sylvia]

KABC.com article today (Jan. 12):

FBI working to piece together drone that damaged super scooper while battling Palisades Fire

According to officials, the plane collided with a privately-owned drone, causing significant damage to it.

abc7.com

The FBI released new photos of a damaged water-dropping super scooper firefighting aircraft that collided with a drone over the Palisades Fire.
According to officials, the plane collided with a privately-owned drone, causing significant damage to it. The drone put a 3x6 hole in the aircraft, causing a 20- to 30-minute delay in the aerial firefight.

The damaged super scooper plane was only one of two super scoopers available, and it's now out of commission until at least Monday as it gets repaired, officials said.
The pilots were unaware they hit the drone until they landed at Van Nuys Airport and the maintenance staff noticed a "fist-sized hole," according to officials.

ETA:

Temporary flight restrictions (TFRs) are put in place by the FAA to alert pilots of areas of restricted air travel due to a hazardous condition, a special event, or a general warning for the entire FAA airspace.
TFRs are currently in place over the Palisades and Eaton fires, allowing firefighting aircraft the airspace they need. They apply to all aircraft, including drones.
Drone videos of destroyed neighborhoods are spreading over social media, despite the threat of jail time.

 

[Judy]

KABC.com article today (Jan. 12):

FBI working to piece together drone that damaged super scooper while battling Palisades Fire

According to officials, the plane collided with a privately-owned drone, causing significant damage to it.

abc7.com

ETA:

I saw part of a news conference about that.

 

[skateycat]

On the way home from the casino, I was listening to the news on the radio.

They were talking to an official with Cal fire and they were talking about reservoirs and lack of water.

He brought up that northern CA is at greater risk from future fires because they removed 4 dams that held back lakes because of the salmon. He said this means that there are four less sources of water for aircraft to get water to fight wildfires.

Can anyone out CA way verify that this is true or is this just more pig piling on government officials.

All four dams were on the Klamath River, which is 600+ miles to the north and was never diverted to southern California, so should not factually enter into the conversation for the fires in Southern California.

For fires in northern California and southern Oregon, the river will still exist and fire fighters will still be able to get water to fight fires.

 

[Judy]

Quebec is sending two more water scoopers though. I have no idea how many they have. If they have more .. why not send them all as it is definitely winter here .

 

[Sylvia]

Quebec is sending two more water scoopers though.

Prêt de ressources | Le Québec enverra deux avions-citernes supplémentaires en Californie - SOPFEU

Québec, le 10 janvier 2025 – La SOPFEU, en collaboration avec le […]

sopfeu.qc.ca

Quebec City, January 10, 2025 – SOPFEU, in collaboration with the Government of Quebec, is increasing its assistance to the State of California, which is grappling with several devastating fires in the Los Angeles region. As such, two additional air tankers (CL-415) and their crews, including two pilots, two co-pilots and technicians, will be deployed there. Departure is scheduled for January 15, but is subject to weather conditions.

These two aircraft are in addition to the two air tankers already on site since the end of last August under a contractual agreement that has linked Los Angeles County and the Government of Quebec for over 30 years. This agreement, under the responsibility of the Direction générale du Service aérienne gouvernemental of the Ministère des Transports et de la Mobilité durable, demonstrates the strong collaboration that has united Quebec and California for many years in terms of protecting communities, infrastructure and forests against wildfires.

SOPFEU specifies that in collaboration with the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre (CIFFC), it could join its efforts with those of other Canadian forest fire protection agencies to provide a contingent of female and male forest firefighters to California if the United States requested it.

It should be noted that Quebec is assisting California as a stakeholder in the Arrangement in the form of an exchange of notes between the Government of Canada and the Government of the United States of America on the provision of mutual assistance in the fight against forest fires. Thus, the Government of Quebec supports its American partners by making resources available through the SOPFEU, which fully supports these cooperative efforts.

 

[Judy]

Also this: Canadian MP Charlie Angus on Canada providing resources to California: Right now, we have fire crews in the danger zones from Alberta, Quebec, Ontario, and British Columbia. I spoke with the federal security minister. He’s mobilized Canada’s Armed Forces to provide quick transport for more supplies into the fire zones. The Canadian military is now on full alert to help our neighbors. That’s what we do—we help our neighbors in times of crisis. We don’t blame them or pick fights with them; we help.

Btw the U.s. helped Canada too during the 2023 fires here too.

 

[skatfan]

I hope that they are rewarded adequately and able to use the skills acquired when they get out of prison. I have heard that some fire departments won't accept them when they get out, which seems short-sighted to say the least.

Yes, it's true some FDs don't accept them. Applying to be a firefighter is highly competitive in CA.

I have seen a report that some incarcerated firefighters are not being treated very well in this fire. If true, that's not good.

 

[Judy]

For a distraction and a smile my firefighters https://people.com/rescuers-save-go...=new&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter.com

Personally I would never let my dogs near it …I’m very protective of them.

It is def along the Ottawa River though.

 

[Vash01]

I made a couple of small donations. If there is a way to donate clothes or household items I may be able to help but in the current conditions I don’t think that would be practical. I wish I had more money to donate.

 

[Sylvia]

Here’s how you can support wildfire victims on their path to recovery:
https://ktla.com/news/california/wi...-by-the-wildfires-across-southern-california/

 

[Karen-W]

Yes, it's true some FDs don't accept them. Applying to be a firefighter is highly competitive in CA.

I have seen a report that some incarcerated firefighters are not being treated very well in this fire. If true, that's not good.

I'm pretty sure I saw similar reporting - complaints about not having been able to shower in 5 days, long workshifts, etc. Those are issues & problems that every firefighting crew is going to encounter in the early days before there are enough crews & resources on the ground. Hopefully, they will be able to some rest & clean up now that more crews from outside the state are flooding in to assist.

 

[Karen-W]

Interesting...

https://twitter.com/x/status/1878516786649289137

 

[Sylvia]

NASA lab and historic observatory narrowly escape LA fire damage; Workers at Jet Propulsion Lab and Mount Wilson Observatory made preparations for wildfires (Jan. 10): https://www.science.org/content/art...ic-observatory-narrowly-escape-la-fire-damage

t wasn’t until the television stations began covering the fires approaching broadcast towers on the mountain, the hub for LA’s broadcast communications, that Schaefer and her colleagues saw that fire trucks had arrived. With the help of Mount Wilson staff, who provided access to buildings and a 500,000 gallon water tank meant for firefighting, the fire crews were able to prevent the blaze from breaching the mountain ridge in front of the observatory. The closest flames reached the edge of an observatory parking lot.

 

[skatfan]

I'm pretty sure I saw similar reporting - complaints about not having been able to shower in 5 days, long workshifts, etc. Those are issues & problems that every firefighting crew is going to encounter in the early days before there are enough crews & resources on the ground. Hopefully, they will be able to some rest & clean up now that more crews from outside the state are flooding in to assist.

As I said, it was a report and I wasn’t claiming that it was true. I hope the treatment is equal though.

 

[skatfan]

NASA lab and historic observatory narrowly escape LA fire damage; Workers at Jet Propulsion Lab and Mount Wilson Observatory made preparations for wildfires (Jan. 10): https://www.science.org/content/art...ic-observatory-narrowly-escape-la-fire-damage

Im relieved they are safe for now,

 

[TOADS]

Looks like the threat of the Santa Anas will start tonight and continue through Wednesday.. Gusts to 70 mph in some areas possible. Hopefully a break comes after Wednesday……

This really sucks……

 

[AnnM]

Yes, I'm further inland and the winds already came back overnight.

 

[Garden Kitty]

NBC News reported on a man who found his dog who had been at the burned out house site for 5 days

Watch: Man reunites with missing dog, Oreo after Palisades Fire

NBC News' Liz Kreutz captured the moment a man reunited with his missing rescue dog Oreo. Casey Colvin's dog went missing after the Palisades Fire spread rapidly around his Palisades neighborhood.

www.nbcnews.com

The reporter noted that the owner was not at home when the fire broke out and had been desperately trying to get back to his dogs. You can read more background from @LizKreutzNews on twitter/x

 

[Vash01]

Guardian article about fires

How the climate crisis fuels devastating wildfires: ‘We have tweaked nature and pissed it off’

John Vaillant, the author of Fire Weather, explains why fires such as those in Los Angeles are different from those before

www.theguardian.com

 

[Sylvia]

If people want to debate climate change or other political issues related to LA area wildfires, "The Climate Emergency" thread in PI has been busy lately (I've posted several articles and an editorial in there). Just a suggestion.

ETA - ABC7/WABC's live updates - current headline is Firefighters holding Eaton, Palisades fires in check, but new wind event is on the way: https://abc7.com/live-updates/socal...ndstorm-amid-dangerous-fire-weather/15771235/

Re. the 2 biggest wildfires:

Palisades Fire

• 23,654 acres
• 11% containment
• 5 deaths
• 5,316 structures burned

Eaton Fire in San Gabriel Valley

• 14,117 acres
• 27% contained
• Approximately 7,081 structures believed to be damaged or destroyed (structures includes vehicles)
• 11 deaths
• 5 firefighter injuries

 

[Vash01]

CBS 60 minutes showed horrifying pictures of the fire. One man they interviewed had lost his sister in the fire. So sad!

 

[Sylvia]

I had no problem with @Vash01's article.

CBS 60 minutes showed horrifying pictures of the fire. One man they interviewed had lost his sister in the fire. So sad!

Includes a transcript:

Los Angeles County wildfires: The ongoing fight to stop the fires and the devastation of neighborhoods

Days after fires began tearing through homes in the Los Angeles area, families are returning to smoldering neighborhoods as firefighters continue their battle against the deadly wildfires.

www.cbsnews.com

 

[purple skates]

If people want to debate climate change or other political issues related to LA area wildfires, "The Climate Emergency" thread in PI has been busy lately (I've posted several articles and an editorial in there). Just a suggestion.

ETA - ABC7/WABC's live updates - current headline is Firefighters holding Eaton, Palisades fires in check, but new wind event is on the way: https://abc7.com/live-updates/socal...ndstorm-amid-dangerous-fire-weather/15771235/

Re. the 2 biggest wildfires:

Palisades Fire

• 23,654 acres
• 11% containment
• 5 deaths
• 5,316 structures burned

Eaton Fire in San Gabriel Valley

• 14,117 acres
• 27% contained
• Approximately 7,081 structures believed to be damaged or destroyed (structures includes vehicles)
• 11 deaths
• 5 firefighter injuries

Roughly 38,000 acres (so far) and 12,300 buildings. I’m actually shocked at only 16 deaths, although I expect that will increase. But with 12,300 buildings, that’s what - 20,000+ displaced people with nowhere to go.

ETA: Sorry about all the edits. Sometimes typing on my phone I miss keystrokes.

 

[skatfan]

Roughly 38,000 acres (so far) and 12,300 buildings. I’m actually shocked at only 16 deaths, although I expect that will increase. But with 12,300 buildings, that’s what - 20,000+ displaced people with nowhere to go.

ETA: Sorry about all the edits. Sometimes typing on my phone I miss keystrokes.

One clarification - I think I saw somewhere that structures include cars and of course they would also include garages as well so the total may not be 12,000 homes at least I hope so.

 

[purple skates]

One clarification - I think I saw somewhere that structures include cars and of course they would also include garages as well so the total may not be 12,000 homes at least I hope so.

I hope so too. It’s still unimaginable to me sitting here surrounded by the Great Lakes. I know there’s many man-made reasons for this devastation, and they should be reviewed and debated. But the reality right now is

I lived in southern California for two years, and I have a soft spot for it.

 

[Karen-W]

One clarification - I think I saw somewhere that structures include cars and of course they would also include garages as well so the total may not be 12,000 homes at least I hope so.

Yes, the press conference yesterday that I listened to clarified that "structures" includes vehicles, standalone garages & outbuildings like sheds & lifeguard huts, etc. It's still a massive level of destruction and the next few days may get worse if the winds are stronger or go on longer than forecast. Recall that last week's event was only forecast to last two days and wound up being extended through Friday evening, an extra two days.

 

[Badams]

I hope so too. It’s still unimaginable to me sitting here surrounded by the Great Lakes. I know there’s many man-made reasons for this devastation, and they should be reviewed and debated. But the reality right now is

I lived in southern California for two years, and I have a soft spot for it.

I right there with you. This devastation is just unfathomable to me, as I sit here surrounded by the Great lakes and moisture and lake effect snow. I'll take my constant winter storm warnings and my 6 feet of snow and my winter until May,

 

[Vagabond]

One clarification - I think I saw somewhere that structures include cars and of course they would also include garages as well so the total may not be 12,000 homes at least I hope so.

The fire map to which I linked in my first post in the thread indicates that the commercial district in Pacific Palisades is in the fire zone. I think the same may hold true for Altadena and Pasadena. A synagogue burned down in the Eaton fire, and I would expect that some schools, libraries, and other houses of worship have too.

 

[Vash01]

Roughly 38,000 acres (so far) and 12,300 buildings. I’m actually shocked at only 16 deaths, although I expect that will increase. But with 12,300 buildings, that’s what - 20,000+ displaced people with nowhere to go.

ETA: Sorry about all the edits. Sometimes typing on my phone I miss keystrokes.

Sadly they are saying that the death toll could rise after they have found the missing persons ( May not be living).

Would it help if it rains in LA? Can we pray for rain? The task to contain the fires seems almost out of human capabilities l am sorry for sounding so pessimistic.

The forecasts are for stronger winds Mon-Wed.

Eventually the crisis will end, but the damage has already been mind boggling.

 

[Vash01]

Slight change of topic.

The wildcard game between the Vikings and Rams will be played in Arizona, about 4 miles from me. The NFL made the announcement couple days ago to move the game from LA here because of the fires.

It is going to feel really odd to have a football game here, hosting a team from LA. I can’t imagine what theymay be feeling. My sympathy goes to them, so I hope they win tomorrow.

I am tempted to go to the game because it is so close to me.
The Rams will not be without their fans though. There are many Californians here.

The NFL is making announcements for donations during each game. May be I should donate what I would have spent on the ticket to the game.

ETA- I just checked the ticket prices. Lowest around $100, Highest around $400 or high $300s. Right now I can’t afford even the lowest ticket (plus parking and food). I will donate what I can afford.