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Los Angeles fires

Cuddles

Well-known member
10 people are reported to have died as a result of these terrible fires :(

Officials said Thursday that at least 10 people were killed and more than 9,000 homes, businesses and other buildings appeared to have been damaged or destroyed in the Palisades and Eaton fires.

Around 5,300 of these structures were destroyed in the Palisades fire, while another 4,000 to 5,000 structures were estimated to be damaged or destroyed in the Eaton fire burning in the Altadena area.

Officials made the estimate using aerial infrared technology and stressed that it was a preliminary number. If accurate, it would place the firestorm among the worst in Los Angeles history in terms of property damage.


“The Palisades fire is one of the most destructive natural disasters in the history of Los Angeles,” said Los Angeles Fire Chief Kristin Crowley.

At a morning news conference, L.A. County Fire Chief Anthony Marrone said growth of the Eaton fire had been “significantly stopped.” At 3:30 p.m., however, he announced that the fire had grown by more than 3,000 acres — to 13,690 acres — as it spread toward the historic Mt. Wilson area with 0% containment.

Don Fregulia, an operations section chief with the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, said efforts to protect Mt. Wilson had proved successful and he expected that to remain the case.


“We’re actively engaged there,” Fregulia said. “We’re feeling good about what we have to do up there tonight to keep that site secure.”

The Palisades fire grew from around 17,200 acres Thursday morning to 19,978 acres Thursday evening, at which time the blaze was 6% contained, according to fire officials.

And on Thursday afternoon a new blaze, dubbed the Kenneth fire, ignited in Woodland Hills and quickly spread to around 1,000 acres.


At least 10 people have died in the fires, according to the Los Angeles County medical examiner. At least four deaths have been connected to the Eaton fire, and on Thursday officials confirmed the first death related to the Palisades fire, in Malibu.

LAPD Chief Jim McDonnell said his officers were notified of a death investigation in the 15300 block of Friends Street in the Palisades area around 10 a.m. Thursday. The person’s cause of death was not immediately known.

“We are deeply saddened to learn that we have lost a member of the Malibu community during the Palisades fire,” Malibu Mayor Doug Stewart said in a statement. “Although the individual has not yet been identified, this tragic news weighs heavily on our hearts. On behalf of the City of Malibu, I want to express my deepest condolences to the loved ones of this person. Our community grieves with you in this moment of unimaginable loss.”

Satellite image shows smoke rising from a wildfire in the Pacific Palisades
California

These maps show Palisades fire’s rapid spread in first day

Jan. 9, 2025
Authorities say the death toll from the fires will likely grow.

Sheriff Robert Luna announced Thursday afternoon that a 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew was in the works for areas affected by the Eaton and Palisades fires in an effort to deter looting and would probably start Friday.

L.A. County Supervisor Kathryn Barger emphasized that the curfew was not to punish residents but to keep the area safe. She said the curfew was requested by the Altadena Town Council.

Luna also said he had requested support from the California National Guard to assist with traffic control, infrastructure protection and looting deterrence for both the Eaton and Palisades fires. Gov. Gavin Newsom later announced he had approved the request, which will bring the total number of National Guard personnel deployed to help with regional wildfires to 8,000.


A map of the ongoing wildfires in California.
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Every wildfire currently burning in California

The Hurst fire, burning in Sylmar, has charred 771 acres and was 10% contained as of Thursday afternoon. The 43-acre Sunset fire, which ignited Wednesday evening in the Hollywood Hills, reached 100% containment Thursday.

Although winds have diminished, much of Los Angeles County remains under a red flag warning, with forecasters warning of critical fire weather through Friday night.

“This is absolutely an unprecedented, historic firestorm,” Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass said. “But we are all hands on deck.”

A house burns near PCH.

Crew members battle the Palisades fire along PCH in Malibu on Wednesday.

(Wally Skalij / Los Angeles Times)
Los Angeles County sheriff’s officials are working to get a count of the fatalities in the fires but have been hampered by dangerous conditions in the fire zones. Homicide detectives are investigating deaths at several locations, said Nicole Nishida, communications director for the Sheriff’s Department.

“Information is still very preliminary, but there have been multiple deaths in the fire areas,” Nishida said.






Wind speeds weakened across the Los Angeles region Thursday morning, with isolated gusts reaching 35 mph in the Malibu area and 58 mph in the San Gabriel Mountains, said Mike Wofford, a meteorologist with the National Weather Service in Oxnard.

But the reprieve was expected to be brief. Winds were anticipated to strengthen Thursday night.

“We’ll get a little bump up in winds as we get another little push of offshore flow,” Wofford said. “Nothing like we saw [Wednesday] with the gusts of 80- to 100-mph winds, but certainly enough to present some issues for the fires. ... It’s kind of like a day on, day off sort of thing. At least until the middle of next week we’re going to be in that pattern.”

ALTADENA, CA, JANUARY 9, 2025: Businesses burned down by the Eaton Fire in Altadena on Thursday, January 9, 2025. (Christina House / Los Angeles Times)
California

10 dead, more than 9,000 homes, structures damaged or destroyed in L.A. County fires

1 hour ago
Late Wednesday, the National Weather Service downgraded the fire weather outlook for the region from “extremely critical” to “critical.” Wofford said Los Angeles residents should be prepared for a succession of sustained high-wind events that could intensify fire risk. Humidity levels remain low and no rain is in the forecast in the coming days.


Although the red flag warning is set to expire Friday night, the National Weather Service warned that offshore winds would continue into early next weak, peaking on Sunday, Tuesday and Wednesday.

“This has the potential to be, at least collectively, the costliest wildfire disaster in American history,” UCLA climate scientist Daniel Swain said Wednesday. “Even just the Palisades fire on its own may become so.”


I know there´s forum members living in L.A. or the surrounding areas. I sincerely hope you guys are all safe!!!!
 

armedoldhippy

Well-known member
Veteran
i've been having thoughts about living out there. they go from earthquakes, to floods/landslides to fires, and the fires strip the trees brush away and make the landslides more likely. maybe California is supposed to be a huge national park instead of a state where people can live. they don't get enough rain to sustain their crops, much less the population . i wonder how the millionaires who lost their houses like being homeless now ? any more sympathy for the poor they used to step over/walk around/ignore while shopping ?
 

CosmicGiggle

Well-known member
Moderator
Veteran
People were not meant to live in alla the 'beauty' spots on Earth but take a chance and do so anyhow. They will do it again soon enough as they learn slowly and think it's just a 'one off', once in a hundred years or so.

It's the same in Asheville as 9% of the city is built on/in a floodplane. You see Paradise and that's what you want a slice of, until you realize it's really a potential Death Trap!

The local (now closed) Walmart was built almost on the edge of the big, bad Swannanoa River (which I always thought of as a large stream) and is being re-stocked as we speak, set to open in early February.

There's money to be made. :shucks:
 

pop_rocks

In my empire of dirt
Premium user
420club
i've been having thoughts about living out there. they go from earthquakes, to floods/landslides to fires, and the fires strip the trees brush away and make the landslides more likely. maybe California is supposed to be a huge national park instead of a state where people can live. they don't get enough rain to sustain their crops, much less the population . i wonder how the millionaires who lost their houses like being homeless now ? any more sympathy for the poor they used to step over/walk around/ignore while shopping ?
i cant remember the last real earthquake to hit california, we are going back decades
but i can point to area that will flood or have hurricanes across the nation on the reg and lets not forget the wonderful cold weather!
no place is perfect, the biggest problem with california is in its mismanagement of resources and the people elected to manage those resources; then add in no more land to build on near the coasts where all the beautiful people want to live ...
but people still come here every year to chase the dream
 
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pop_rocks

In my empire of dirt
Premium user
420club
now they are posting maps showing celebrity homes burned up in the fire! brilliant
next up are all the ceo's and fat cats addresses?!

forget the regulations that make it harder and harder for you to create a defensible space around your home /you might disturb the turtles or fairy shrimp

IMG_0841-1736543942.4642.jpeg


/but the joke is on me, i had state farm insurance on the house for decades until the quit on california
 
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armedoldhippy

Well-known member
Veteran
next up are all the ceo's and fat cats addresses?!
thanks for reminding me! i'm gonna start a "go fund me" page for all of those millionaires that lost their mansions overlooking the Pacific, their Maseratis, Academy awards, etc. how terrible it must be to sit in your rooms at the Hilton, knowing you'd have no private pool to swim laps in at dawn... poor bastards...:ROFLMAO:
 

JetLife175

Well-known member
Veteran
Hey everyone.

Los Angeles native here. Born and raised and currently living. I figured I would give you guys an update from someone that is actually here.

Fires has subsided for the most part. Major populations aren't threatened at the moment but there is still a lot of work to do.

Yes alot of rich people and celebrities lost their homes. But a lot of regular people that are just trying to make it in this crazy town are affected too. More than the rich. Had a buddy lose his home and entire shop to the fires. We were able to get all the important family stuff out as well as important moms by literally a thread.

Air quality is getting better. There's a new fire that popped up in Ventura last night. Hopefully won't get too out of hand.

The city is coming together to help everyone they can. That's why I love this place and will never leave. We will rebuild. We will make it.
 

CharlesU Farley

Well-known member
i wonder how the millionaires who lost their houses like being homeless now ? any more sympathy for the poor they used to step over/walk around/ignore while shopping ?
My guess is, it's not a real big deal for the millionaires. Can almost guarantee 90 plus percent of those who lost their homes had fire / homeowners insurance. It's not like wildfires don't happen often in California, so I'm sure it's a mortgage requirement to have fire/homeowners insurance.

My guess is, they ain't dealing with FEMA at all, just their insurance adjusters.

Contrast that situation to a flood in the fucking mountains, where 90 plus percent of people did _not_ have flood insurance because ordinarily, hurricanes don't happen in the fucking mountains.

Unlike fire/homeowners insurance, FEMA don't make you whole and give you 100% of the value you lost.

I feel horrible for anyone who has lost their home but in Bat Cave North Carolina, they still haven't even been able to rebuild the fucking road that goes through town, so people can get dozers and track hoes in there, just to demolish their fucking house.

And FEMA just cut out all housing assistance.:mad:
 

CharlesU Farley

Well-known member
the sad thing is a lot of those people did not have fire insurance, or any homeowner policy at all
https://www.foxbusiness.com/lifesty...ere-carriers-have-fled-reduced-coverage-state
hawaii is still trying to rebuild from the fires they faced a while back
for some there is no rebuilding
That's hard to understand???

Every mortgage that I've got or ever heard of, requires homeowners insurance to be kept up to date as a condition of the loan. Only the people who paid cash/own their homes free and clear can get by without homeowners insurance.

Even if State Farm, Allstate, ETC stopped riding policies, they still have to get them through the state managed high risk pool, at least in Florida and North Carolina.

This is us, 3 months later:

 

JetLife175

Well-known member
Veteran
My guess is, it's not a real big deal for the millionaires. Can almost guarantee 90 plus percent of those who lost their homes had fire / homeowners insurance. It's not like wildfires don't happen often in California, so I'm sure it's a mortgage requirement to have fire/homeowners insurance.

My guess is, they ain't dealing with FEMA at all, just their insurance adjusters.

Contrast that situation to a flood in the fucking mountains, where 90 plus percent of people did _not_ have flood insurance because ordinarily, hurricanes don't happen in the fucking mountains.

Unlike fire/homeowners insurance, FEMA don't make you whole and give you 100% of the value you lost.

I feel horrible for anyone who has lost their home but in Bat Cave North Carolina, they still haven't even been able to rebuild the fucking road that goes through town, so people can get dozers and track hoes in there, just to demolish their fucking house.

And FEMA just cut out all housing assistance.:mad:
People have actually had their fire insurance pulled in recent years for whatever reason.

I heard a story from a woman who renewed her policy on the 1st and they refused fire coverage. As she was appealing and working this out with her insurance company the fires happened. She lost everything. It's a real fucking headache. This is a very nuanced situation.

One thing that is being pushed is a moratorium on companies being able to get rid of fire protection within the next year right now.

Crazy thing about all this is even if you have insurance and you have a mortgage on your home. You're paying on it even if it got leveled. It's already expensive enough out here. It's making the native angelenos very VERY strained.
 

Cuddles

Well-known member
Hey everyone.

Los Angeles native here. Born and raised and currently living. I figured I would give you guys an update from someone that is actually here.

Fires has subsided for the most part. Major populations aren't threatened at the moment but there is still a lot of work to do.

Yes alot of rich people and celebrities lost their homes. But a lot of regular people that are just trying to make it in this crazy town are affected too. More than the rich. Had a buddy lose his home and entire shop to the fires. We were able to get all the important family stuff out as well as important moms by literally a thread.

Air quality is getting better. There's a new fire that popped up in Ventura last night. Hopefully won't get too out of hand.

The city is coming together to help everyone they can. That's why I love this place and will never leave. We will rebuild. We will make it.
Thank you for your personal feedback. It´s great to hear that people are coming together and helping those affected. I keep wondering just where the city is putting up all those people who have either had to evacuate or those who have alreeady lost their homes comletely. Do you have any insight into this?
There have also been news reports saying that there is not enough clean drinking water which is very worrying indeed.

Some people are being pretty mean about millionaires and celebrities having lost their homes, like they don´t need a place to live. Of course they will have full insurance etc but they also have families, children and lots of personal things such as old photos of friends and family etc which are now gone forever.
It´s a little cynical imo and has sort of undermined/ distracted from the fact that so many ordinary and NOT wealthy or even really poor people have lost everything they had. And as already mentioned above, many people had no insurance. Insurances cost a lot of money when you got none to spare.
10,000 homes destroyed - they can´t ALL be rich and famous, right?

On a slightly less dramatic note:
Many wealthy people also collect important works of art which will now be lost for good too. - I only mention this because I love art btw. It´s not as important as human lives but still ...
 

Bona Fortuna

Well-known member
Veteran
I’ve battled making this post for a few days now. I’ve been torn since this has been such a disastrous event, with innumerable families afflicted. Condolences to the families that have lost their things in these fires. These fires were a large, painful loss.

One side of the coin is the humanity side, the other the financial and political decision making side.

Screw California politicians.
What I’m about to say will make me sound soulless, which… fair.
Of course the affluent, big city burned, let’s help them out, ehhh? Cut the red tape for reconstruction? Loosen permitting and building regulations? FEMA assistance before the fire is even out? A $770 ‘reimbursement’ from the government… for being evacuated?Bullshit. THAT pisses me off. Surprised LA is getting FEMA assistance in the first place.

Our little town of Grizzly Flats burned down in the Caldor Fire in 2021. 400 houses in a less than affluent area of California. The town applied for any and every kind of assistance possible, sent in three separate requests to FEMA, just to be denied three separate times. Retroactive insurance loss, purposefully complicated coverage details that make it so you paid into a package that didn’t fully cover you in the event of a fire. Total losses.

Grizzly Flats is still facing the red tape of rebuilding almost four years later.
They are STILL getting ticketed for living in an RV while waiting for the permitting and paperwork to go through because they STILL have no house. We were evacuated for at LEAST a month, having to eat the cost of hotels and Air BandB’s the entire time.

The opening of the regulatory doors for the folks down in LA is needed, but a point of frustration for those that still face issues of previous, unresolved fires. Hell, a point of frustration for those that just experienced the fires, too!

The insurance issues we face are real, as pop_rocks said. Many people are without coverage. Many simply can’t afford it.
You can apply to the ‘insurance of last resort’ but it doesn’t guarantee that you’ll get coverage. Hell, you don’t get a fully covered policy even if you do get coverage. We got dropped from our insurance this past year and got a Fairer Plan, but had to find a separate insurance for wrap-around and boy is it expensive.
 

Cuddles

Well-known member
I’ve battled making this post for a few days now. I’ve been torn since this has been such a disastrous event, with innumerable families afflicted. Condolences to the families that have lost their things in these fires. These fires were a large, painful loss.

One side of the coin is the humanity side, the other the financial and political decision making side.

Screw California politicians.
What I’m about to say will make me sound soulless, which… fair.
Of course the affluent, big city burned, let’s help them out, ehhh? Cut the red tape for reconstruction? Loosen permitting and building regulations? FEMA assistance before the fire is even out? A $770 ‘reimbursement’ from the government… for being evacuated?Bullshit. THAT pisses me off. Surprised LA is getting FEMA assistance in the first place.

Our little town of Grizzly Flats burned down in the Caldor Fire in 2021. 400 houses in a less than affluent area of California. The town applied for any and every kind of assistance possible, sent in three separate requests to FEMA, just to be denied three separate times. Retroactive insurance loss, purposefully complicated coverage details that make it so you paid into a package that didn’t fully cover you in the event of a fire. Total losses.

Grizzly Flats is still facing the red tape of rebuilding almost four years later.
They are STILL getting ticketed for living in an RV while waiting for the permitting and paperwork to go through because they STILL have no house. We were evacuated for at LEAST a month, having to eat the cost of hotels and Air BandB’s the entire time.

The opening of the regulatory doors for the folks down in LA is needed, but a point of frustration for those that still face issues of previous, unresolved fires. Hell, a point of frustration for those that just experienced the fires, too!

The insurance issues we face are real, as pop_rocks said. Many people are without coverage. Many simply can’t afford it.
You can apply to the ‘insurance of last resort’ but it doesn’t guarantee that you’ll get coverage. Hell, you don’t get a fully covered policy even if you do get coverage. We got dropped from our insurance this past year and got a Fairer Plan, but had to find a separate insurance for wrap-around and boy is it expensive.
This is all pretty shocking man. I´m sorry you had/have to go through this kinda shit :(

Now, I don´t know if my train of thought can provide some sort of silver lining but here goes

- If authorities end up making exceptions for Los Angeles, then you - as in your entire town, may have a real case.
You guys can say: Hey, if this is alright and you´re doing all this for another town, then you MUST also do the same for US, am I right :)

Or perhaps I´m being too innocent or optimistic about this? It´s easy to say such things when you´re on the other side of the big pond, I guess. And I´m not familiar with american laws and so on.
 
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CharlesU Farley

Well-known member
90% of LA has homeowners / fire insurance:


1% of Asheville residents had flood insurance:

 

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