There are many factors contributing to these infernos flaring the way they did. Unusually high winds, extremely low humidity, vegetation as dry as tinder due to a half year without any significant rainfall. Add in large, densely populated zones with limited routes in and out of neighborhoods and you have quite a recipe for fiery disaster. But there are other, more staggering reasons why Los Angeles is burning; there is human error.
Four dams were destroyed this year in California. I'm happy for the now free-swimming salmon, but very sad for the thousands of human fire victims. I'm no expert, but in hindsight it appears that releasing "billions of gallons of water" to maintain a certain level in a reservoir is overlooking a better solution: maybe build additional reservoirs to hold the excess water, which will certainly be needed? Oh well, what do I know.
Gavin Newsom is passing the buck to local governments on the subject of waterless fire hydrants, reported by firefighters. Excuse me, but you are the governor. Adequate water supply to major California cities--especially in fire emergencies--should have been on your checklist.
It's worth mentioning that $17.6 million was cut from the Los Angeles Fire Department budget this year. Smart move, Mayor Bass. Hope you enjoyed your trip to Africa.
Other excuses being tossed out by various Los Angeles officials are infuriating. You geniuses should know that air support might not be possible in Santa Ana winds. If you need to adjust water supplies and pressure, do it. If you don't have enough hydrants to handle a wildfire, add them. If more access roads are needed, build them. Too bad about the hit to DEI training, illegal immigrant gift cards, and homeless housing budgets, but do it. It's your job.
The favored talking point about climate change does not fit this disaster. I've lived in SoCal since 1979, and the fires erupt every year when the Santa Ana winds blow. During my early years in the state, they were called "brush fires" because that's what they usually were--chaparral burning on undeveloped land. After the area exploded with housing development, the description changed to "wildfires." Now there is a lot more fuel in the form of homes and businesses of all kinds, in addition to millions more people to protect. Aging infrastructure just won't do.
One would think our brilliant California politicians might be able to figure all this out in advance. One would be wrong. There will be a rough road to recovery ahead. Stay strong, Los Angeles.
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| Pacific Palisades fire - January 7, 2025 |
