Station Fire - San Gabriel Mountains

[tammy]

Any chance of this thread being on topic sometime today?

I don't live near the fires but the air quality has been awful for days...I can't let the kids outside, plus it is so brutally hot. The sky is just this sickly yellowy gray haze. We can't even pray for rain 'cuz we only get tiny amounts in the winters...it's a tinder box. I suspect there will be more fires around when the Santa Ana winds come soon - it brings the evil arsonists out. Last season the fires came very close to our friend's home & they almost had to evacuate (their street was on the News) - basically we know many people who have had to evacuate their homes due to fires...it's scary. Prayers for the firefighters, the heroes.

[Blueskies]

Very well said. I apologize to all affected for my participation in this thread. I got drawn in, in the first place because I too found his initial comment quite offensive and completely insensitive but when I 'm critical of anything said on here it gives fodder for some to start a flame war. I didn't think about that when voicing my objections, so again, I apologize for participating and continueing to respond. These flame wars should not have come into the conversation...real peoples life's and properties are what is at risk here and a few live's have even been lost....this is serious stuff ...a life and death situation and not a time for flame wars or complete insensitivity. I hope the fires are out soon and that you, your family and all others that are dealing with this take care, stay safe and fair well.

Huh. You know I've been reading through these posts as they come in. Of course I've had to do it with the windows shut, because I couldn't breathe this week due to all the smoke. I've had to keep my kids in the house, although I did drive them up 1/2 hour into the mountains to see why you shouldn't play with matches. It was incredible. It was terrifying.

Water pressure has been low. And we've had some electrical brown-outs in this crazy heat, guess why. When you CAN get the TV to work, the media is saturated with the news of these fires, which have frightened not only my children but my family across the U.S., where it is also headline news. The TV, radio and cell emergency response towers were in serious jeopardy. If they were to go down, imagine the kind of riots we would be exposed to, not only in the "gang cities" but in Beverly Hills, Hollywood, and the quiet little mountain that I live on as well.

Simply let the motherfuckers burn ?

I can't even get into how offensive these posts are. We live in a state where you only get rain from November to April, and I realize there is a price to pay for being able to drive with the top down the other 8 months of the year. But people lost their homes, their savings...people died. I'm all for morbid humor but COME ON, can't we draw a line somewhere? Anywhere?

Can we take this cum-tunneling bullshit somewhere else? Maybe on a Perry vs. Hugo vs. Jeremy thread, or in a post about how Neal Schon plays in a D tuning this year instead of an E tuning? My god man...If you can't use some common sense and decency, could you at least show some respect for the artists you like who live in this friggin town (as most of them do), and have to deal with these calamities?

I don't want a fight, and please don't send a page of justifications...I have no time for it. I have to watch out the window and keep my family safe. But if it's a flame war you want...go for it. I've been in one for 6 days now, a REAL one.

sorry to read the post by st john. funny too cuz not too long ago he was here and raved about the malibu/santa monica area and talked of moving here .

Let me address my prior comments and make them crystal clear. My issues with California have nothing to do with its beauty, its hard working people or its political leanings. My issues do have to do with the state having approximately a half million gang members, 3 million illegal aliens, the inability to balance a budget and these annual forest fires that make national news. Simply let the motherfuckers burn. Homes can be replaced and lives can't. Fighting a "50 foot wall of flames" like Andrew said isn't heroic...it's fucking stupid!!!

Nowhere did I wish ill will on any innocent people. So, Phyllis, shut your fucking cum tunnel. And P.E.T.A. called and assured me that they're not going to stick up for you anymore. You're sub-animal to them, too.

[portland]

Any chance of this thread being on topic sometime today?

I don't live near the fires but the air quality has been awful for days...I can't let the kids outside, plus it is so brutally hot. The sky is just this sickly yellowy gray haze. We can't even pray for rain 'cuz we only get tiny amounts in the winters...it's a tinder box. I suspect there will be more fires around when the Santa Ana winds come soon - it brings the evil arsonists out. Last season the fires came very close to our friend's home & they almost had to evacuate (their street was on the News) - basically we know many people who have had to evacuate their homes due to fires...it's scary. Prayers for the firefighters, the heroes.

Prayers to everyone there...Maine does not have these issues thank god...just a damn lot of snow!!

[Behshad]

Very well said. I apologize to all affected for my participation in this thread. I got drawn in, in the first place because I too found his initial comment quite offensive and completely insensitive but when I 'm critical of anything said on here it gives fodder for some to start a flame war. I didn't think about that when voicing my objections, so again, I apologize for participating and continueing to respond. These flame wars should not have come into the conversation...real peoples life's and properties are what is at risk here and a few live's have even been lost....this is serious stuff ...a life and death situation and not a time for flame wars or complete insensitivity. I hope the fires are out soon and that you, your family and all others that are dealing with this take care, stay safe and fair well.

I don't think your choice of word here is appropriate.

[StevePerryHair]

We have had our share of fires here in FL too in recent years and as long as there are stupid people who start them or lightning, there is little the state can do for prevention. They do controlled burns when they can to get rid of some of the brush, but it doesn't stop the possibility. I really don't see how a state can stop all forest areas from a threat like that.

[Blueskies]

We have had our share of fires here in FL too in recent years and as long as there are stupid people who start them or lightning, there is little the state can do for prevention. They do controlled burns when they can to get rid of some of the brush, but it doesn't stop the possibility. I really don't see how a state can stop all forest areas from a threat like that.

When I lived in Florida there were quite a number of wildfires. One time I watched the fire spread towards us right outside my living room window and we had to evacuate for a couple days...fortunitely the fire was put out before it consumned my place. There were days when different sections of roads and freeways would be closed and alternative routes had to be found to get anywhere. So, I know what you have had to and what the people in California are dealing with. I hope Cali's fire season isn't going to be as bad as predicted.

[Melissa]

We have had our share of fires here in FL too in recent years and as long as there are stupid people who start them or lightning, there is little the state can do for prevention. They do controlled burns when they can to get rid of some of the brush, but it doesn't stop the possibility. I really don't see how a state can stop all forest areas from a threat like that.

Yeah the brush ones here can get bad, fast too if it's really dry. Passed a bad one earlier this year when headed to Canaveral for island/beach camping.

[Andrew]

So what has your state done in preparation for something that happens seemingly every year? As a tax payer, I would demand better foresight.

More utterly unbelievable ignorance from someone that claims to be an educated person. I simply cannot believe the stupidity of some people. Well...maybe I can.

[Deb]

Huh. You know I've been reading through these posts as they come in. Of course I've had to do it with the windows shut, because I couldn't breathe this week due to all the smoke. I've had to keep my kids in the house, although I did drive them up 1/2 hour into the mountains to see why you shouldn't play with matches. It was incredible. It was terrifying.

Water pressure has been low. And we've had some electrical brown-outs in this crazy heat, guess why. When you CAN get the TV to work, the media is saturated with the news of these fires, which have frightened not only my children but my family across the U.S., where it is also headline news. The TV, radio and cell emergency response towers were in serious jeopardy. If they were to go down, imagine the kind of riots we would be exposed to, not only in the "gang cities" but in Beverly Hills, Hollywood, and the quiet little mountain that I live on as well.

Sorry to hear that Eric, nothing worse than the constant smell of smoke either. You, K and the boys stay safe. Thoughts going out to all of you affected in Cali.

[Arianddu]

So what has your state done in preparation for something that happens seemingly every year? As a tax payer, I would demand better foresight.

More utterly unbelievable ignorance from someone that claims to be an educated person. I simply cannot believe the stupidity of some people. Well...maybe I can.

To be fair Andrew, it can be very hard to get people who have never lived in our sort of country to understand how impossible that is to do. I lost count of the number of Brits I knew in the UK who thought bushfires were something like a hayfield catching alight; no matter how much I explained and argued, I couldn't get them to understand the scope of the area, terrain, growth patterns or water issues. I mean, these were people who called it a drought was when it didn't rain in Kent for ten days. Seriously.

When you live in an urbanised environment and failure to put out a fire is because the emergency services had an organisational breakdown, and 30 minutes to get a fire truck in is much too long, a person can intellectually know the facts, but they don't have a hope in hell of understanding the reality. That's what I get from Dan - he's got an opinion, and no understanding of just how out of whack it it. Arguing with him isn't going to make any difference. Uncontrolled bushfires heading down and taking hold in the suburbs on 15+ fronts and burning out half of LA might get the point across of why you just can't let it burn, but he's never going to really understand until he lives in fire country. Until then, it's another bullet in his arsenal of perceived problems with California. Stupid thread to be starting the arguement in, granted.

[hoagiepete]

So what has your state done in preparation for something that happens seemingly every year? As a tax payer, I would demand better foresight.

More utterly unbelievable ignorance from someone that claims to be an educated person. I simply cannot believe the stupidity of some people. Well...maybe I can.

I don't think SJ is too far off. They build houses on cliffs, bluffs and canyons, surrounded by brush that is not burnt off each year or mowed. Let's see...earthquakes, fires and landslides. You know they are going to happen, yet they build there anyway. Here we burn off our grassland every year. Houses in these areas have fire breaks of some sort. They lack common sense out there.

[Andrew]

So what has your state done in preparation for something that happens seemingly every year? As a tax payer, I would demand better foresight.

More utterly unbelievable ignorance from someone that claims to be an educated person. I simply cannot believe the stupidity of some people. Well...maybe I can.

To be fair Andrew, it can be very hard to get people who have never lived in our sort of country to understand how impossible that is to do.

Yeah, I guess if you have never seen it first hand, it can be hard to fathom. I was talking with friends of my wife's parents - from the UK - they were here on holidays during the summer and it was blowing a gale. You could hear the bush spitting out this wind....he said he had no idea until that moment how impossible putting any kind of fire out could be.

But for anyone to call on better forsight is just being a little ignorant and disrespectful to those that choose to live in any part of the country (any country) that might be subject to harsh conditions.

I could suggest to SJ that living in a part of the country where you could freeze to death with a few incorrect decisions several months of the year was just as stupid.

Why haven't the goverment invested in more snow melting lasers????????

[Blueskies]

So what has your state done in preparation for something that happens seemingly every year? As a tax payer, I would demand better foresight.

More utterly unbelievable ignorance from someone that claims to be an educated person. I simply cannot believe the stupidity of some people. Well...maybe I can.

I don't think SJ is too far off. They build houses on cliffs, bluffs and canyons, surrounded by brush that is not burnt off each year or mowed. Let's see...earthquakes, fires and landslides. You know they are going to happen, yet they build there anyway. Here we burn off our grassland every year. Houses in these areas have fire breaks of some sort. They lack common sense out there.

In Florida when I lived there they would do control burns ...but you can't control burn everywhere. What I mentioned in a post above? When the fire was right outside my window?.....that fire started in cut short grass in the middle of town and then spread quickly to trees, hopped roads and on the sides of the road there was short grass. That happened in FL without the Santa Ana winds to assist the spread like CA has. Dry is dry....and dry enough any small spark will ignite even a small amount of dry tinder and grass.

[Arianddu]

Why haven't the goverment invested in more snow melting lasers????????

Thanks for that! I'd been trying to think of a relevent analogy. Maybe the locals could be better prepared by stocking up on hair dryers?

[treetopovskaya]

well... we could always do what sj suggested last year & drop ocean water on our fires. haha! }:C)

[Sarah]

Well I don't really have any sympathy for people who refused to leave, but yeah it sucks for everyone else who lost their home. I feel secure enough in my area but I suppose someone could throw a cigarette butt out on the 10 and my building would be the first to go.

I'll agree with Dan that California has a lot of crappy things about it, and to be honest I only stay in LA because of friends, but I still never want to leave my home state.

[Arianddu]

well... we could always do what sj suggested last year & drop ocean water on our fires. haha! }:C)

That comment was kind of why I said no point in getting outraged over Dan's statement - anyone who thinks that's an available option just doesn't get it.

Seriously though, I'm waiting for the list of smoke-related deaths to start coming in. The smoke and ash fall out load looks pretty intense; ventolin sales must be going through the roof. Get those rain dances going, people.

California and BC people - have any charities picked up the support side yet? Helping out those who lost their homes, etc. Recommendations for those who will ensure donations get to where they are needed? Got a dozen or so friends who'd like to be able to return the care we got 8 months ago.

[Tito]

the station fire is mostly federal land. most home owners do their part, but they can't clear 50 years of growth in the forest that the feds hold.

More government inefficiency. Lets turn healthcare over to them next.

[Saint John]

well... we could always do what sj suggested last year & drop ocean water on our fires. haha! }:C)

I don't believe that's what I suggested. I'm no expert at this, but what about a gridded irrigation system from the Pacific Ocean to stop the fires? I understand that salt water inhibits new plant growth, but that's a better alternative to what what is currently taking place. You'd probably have a few hundred acres of salt water damaged land, but if that's what it took to put out the fire I think it would be worth it. Used in the initial stages of a California fire, salt water would yield a safer, cheaper and more environmentally friendly result. Obviously, it's too late now as the fire is much too big.

[Behshad]

the station fire is mostly federal land. most home owners do their part, but they can't clear 50 years of growth in the forest that the feds hold.

More government inefficiency. Lets turn healthcare over to them next.

TITO!!!!!????

[Rhiannon]

Why haven't the goverment invested in more snow melting lasers????????

While we're at it, can some kind of giant sponge be set up to stop these hurricanes from coming in every year and destroying coastal land, homes, and lives? Geesh.

[AlteredDNA]

Why haven't the goverment invested in more snow melting lasers????????

While we're at it, can some kind of giant sponge be set up to stop these hurricanes from coming in every year and destroying coastal land, homes, and lives? Geesh.

Well, some people think we already have technology to deal with hurricanes...

[Tito]

Why haven't the goverment invested in more snow melting lasers????????

It's nature/natural event, treehugger.

[Tito]

My issues with California have nothing to do with its hard working people

They all left to the neighboring states (Arizona, Nevada, Utah, etc.) years ago. Maybe a few retirees (former hardworkers back in the day) left though.

My issues do have to do with the state having approximately a half million gang members, 3 million illegal aliens,

Way low on both estimates.

[Lula]

tito tito tito. we have a local joint called "tito's tacos"

you are so predictable.

[Tito]

tito tito tito. we have a local joint called "tito's tacos"

you are so predictable.

Is this Dean again?

[portland]

tito tito tito. we have a local joint called "tito's tacos"

you are so predictable.

Is this Dean again?

Is this not Lula!!

[Lula]

it is me, lula. dean has his own mr acct. why are some thinking it's dean?

tito's tacos

http://www.titostacos.com/

[portland]

it is me, lula. dean has his own mr acct. why are some thinking it's dean?

Some people look for issues where there are none???

[yulog]

tito tito tito. we have a local joint called "tito's tacos"

you are so predictable.

I was told that they were some of the best tacos in LA, never got to try any while i was there. Not a huge taco fan, i guess.