California fires
 

It seems every day we can offer our thoughts and prayers to another town, group or something.

Reading this morning this devastating fire which has, thus far, killed 25 and has over 100 missing deserves our prayers and wishes. It is traveling at an unheard of speed and we all should remember these fellow Americans in our prayers.

Gods speed to you and yours, and to all those affected. I recall prayers from Californa to our state over the years during hurricanes. Distance does not hamper or delay prayers.

True words Bucco. Between the horrific shooting at the bar and the wildfires, that region has suffered unspeakable harm in the last week or so.

Bucco, thank you. I’ve been trying to find out about a dear friend from Paradise. So far, no one has heard from him. I’ve been praying for him since yesterday. Your prayers and thoughtfulness are greatly appreciated.

Thank you all for your kind thoughts. One of my nieces and her husband live in Westlake Village and have had to spend three nights away from their home, the first two in their car. It is brutal!

This morning in Corona Del Mar I awoke to an orange sunrise. The smoke has come this far, over 65 miles, and has affected air quality here. Near the fires it must be horrific.

Thank you to all the firefighters and LEOs, some of whom have come from other states, who are here and helping.

I have relatives and friends in Southern and Northern CA. So, your thoughts and prayers are appreciated. Been seeing some pictures of Hollywood celebrities whose homes in Southern CA have been destroyed by one of these fires.

I don't know the answer to this, but I will ask. Is there a way that the huge stands of trees could be removed next to highly populated areas, in order to prevent this awfulness?

Very tragic. 31 confirmed dead so far with over 200 still unaccounted for.

You’d have to ask the Federal government. They own most of the forested land in California.

Probably not -- California is the birthplace of tree-hugging.

So very awful what has happened. Heartbreaking. We have heard from friends who have reported themselves safe.

Learned this in grade school.

"I think that I shall never see
A poem lovely as a tree
A tree whose hungry mouth is pressed
Against the sweet earth's flowing breast."

Sometimes they have to go if their leaving would protect people.

That might seem an idea that could work, but when these fires start, generally there are strong Santa Ana winds blowing....embers fly...then the fires take on “weather” of their own. During our 30+ years in CA, we were fortunate to have only partially experienced one of these horrific fires.....it burned around our town but did destroy many homes on the edges of our city. Trees, homes, cars, destroyed. It was like looking at pictures of the moon, everything in the path of the fire was gone, the landscape was gray. I can’t do much to help, but I can pray and donate. Seems so little, but hopefully, both will help all impacted.

Probably fires were part of the natural cycle long before humans showed up in California.

Forest management is difficult and controversial. I remember this fire as I had lived in Los Alamos, NM for nine years although it occurred after I had moved away. Through a mismanaged 'controlled burn' 400 homes were lost in a town of fewer than 18,000 people. Cerro Grande Fire - Wikipedia

You mean its not... gross mismanagement of the forests. ?

I lived there only as a part of my time in the Navy so know nothing, but seems to me that this problem has existed as you say, for a long time.

Thank you. I didn't know. Horrible to have to endure this.

I have just heard that from someone who lived there and someone whose opinion I respect. I guess answers to a lot of problems only look simple from afar.

amen

Only man is stupid enough to think he can dictate to Mother Nature. When you have 40-60mph winds and single digit relative humidity all you need is an ignition source. After that humans have absolutely no control until weather conditions improve.

Friends of mine currently reside on Hawaii, the big island, and have been dealing with the VOG from the recent volcanic activity there. My son and his family live in the panhandle of Idaho which could be affected by the super volcano under Yellowstone. We get earthquakes all over the world, typhoons, hurricanes, tornados and tidal waves. Nature takes its course.