The drought

When comparing the two maps, the drought in Southern California had gotten worse in one week. High winds as experienced that week were partly responsible if not completely responsible for worsening conditions.

The worsening area is exactly where the winds were. Wind can be very drying. 

This is being very hard on all those that lost everything, but, when there are dangerous conditions there cannot be ANY behaviors that can result in even the most remote possibility of a spark. Drinking, smoking, or taking of substances that alter awareness is as much a catalyst to disaster as the wind that caused the drying. 

After stating that, this probably wasn’t preventable. People are allowed to be people and there is no reason for self-blaming. These are extreme conditions that were a perfect storm. Going forward, any and all precautions of any kind, including behavioral self awareness has to be practiced and not just discussed. The climate is unforgiving. I said this before, California did not deserve this.

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Emergency services were incredible.

Firefighters are a special breed. They are all heart. They literally fight for every house, barn, field, or whatever calls them into service. It is like their own is on the line. They are masters of the ability to save lives.

This fire took lives. Some were taken very tragically. But, this tragedy could have been much, much worse. The emergency workers were as good as they get. Everyone should be grateful for the heroes they are when they are called. 

Reignition is very possible.

I am more interested in what started the New Years’ Eve fire.

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If the fire crews responded more slowly the second time is is likely fatigue. It could have also been a question of available equipment and supplies. They had just put out a huge fire and the public was being warned in public service announcements about reignition.

The wind caused the second blaze. I think there is little doubt, but, what caused the original fire? The timing states human activity. I am curious as to any potential natural causes that could have done that. I always thought it was primarily residential. There is a reservoir near there that was receiving repairs. Workmen should be asked if they know of any ignition causes. If sounds like a spark of some kind. New Years Eve, cigarettes, fireworks, almost anything for as dry as the area was. 

Ridiculous Political Trump

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This is the nature of the Trump breast. It thrives only on inflammatory rhetoric and hate speech. The cooperation between the states and DC will be through Congress. There will be no cooperation from the White House, especially this time. 

During Trump’s first term there were wildfires and his statements were about litter on the forest floor and sweeping it clean. To appease him some folks actually went into the forest to sweep the forest floor. With brooms. But, that is all political speech based in the idea moving voters away from Democrats is more important than actually governing.

So, it is good President Biden is still in office to assist California with this climate emergency.

Congress can act to pass emergency relief. It is just that it takes longer as a session has to be occurring, not vacation time, and there has to be majority support in both houses. Congress can and has refused to act, too.

So, here we go. I sincerely believe DOGE will advise against any emergency relief or support assistance in rebuilding. These guys are million-billionaires and think self-insurance is sufficient. They actually believe people that are not that self-sufficient don’t live right. They do not consider compassion or humanity is a governance issue. They don’t want to pay taxes and they want government surpluses they carve out to be funneled to them.

The aftermath of fire.

How many fires has California been through? Why aren’t there mandatory slate roofs yet? In this picture there are homes standing amongst the devastation. There is only reason, non-combustible roofs.

This shows up with every major fire. People still have to evacuate and there is smoke damage and property damage so some extent, but, they have a home to come back to. In the long view the extra cost in the structure and the roof pays off. 

Fire embers come down from the wind like rain.

Wildfires will burn at an alarming excess of 1472 degrees Fahrenheit. That means any clay roofs will melt and allow fire to take the structure. Roofs, Spanish style or otherwise, made of slate have far higher resilience to catching fire.

Some states are seeing insurance rates that are unsustainable for homeowners. The wealthy can always self-insure, but, others cannot. Hurricanes are more destructive, tornadoes occur in multiples, and the land is droughted and susceptible to fire.

Hegseth would be a yes man to Trump.

These guys already have a chummy PR relationship. It is that relationship Trump chose Hegseth. Hegseth has to sell “occupation” as a defense strategy to the people of the country.

Trump’s ambition is to turn the strongest military in the world into an occupying force to intimidate basically “The Louisiana Purchase” of sovereign countries such as Greenland and Panama to begin a global occupation of the world.

Occupying land for the USA is impossible. A military base on foreign soil is challenging enough, but, to occupy an entire sovereign country is ridiculous. If you don’t think so, ask Russia.

The USA has territories like Puerto Rico and American Samoa; how is that going?

By indulging Trump his fantasies will weaken the military, spread it to thin, change its mission, and completely compromise our national defense. It would open the USA to near border wars and invasion. 

The real problem with Trump and the military is his own hostile character. He loves to kill, oppress, suffer, and carries out retribution. He demands admiration from his subjects and punishes if he doesn’t receive it. Trump’s character is highly questionable in any form of reliability in diplomacy. He will seek to instill weakness in agreements so he can take advantage of those loopholes afterward. Occupation of another sovereign country is not reassuring a democracy or peace will exist afterward. 

He cannot have a secretary of defense that panders to him, especially, when that person has no prior administration or leadership skills.

Peace is economic health.There will always exist a defense industry, even in peacetime. The Powell Doctrine is a deterrent.