LA Fires are a Wake Up Call for OC

If you’ve been following the right-wing hive-mind on X.com (formally Twitter), the LA fires — and not Mother Nature — are Gavin Newsom’s fault and the fault of the female head of the LAFD (because she’s a DEI hire).

That’s all a crock of course.  But the fires are a wake up call for local and county officials here to review wildfire plans and infrastructure plans to minimize the impact of an OC wildfire that’s likely to happen in the future.  Do we have the equipment, personnel, facilities and infrastructure so what happened in Malibu and Pacific Palisades this week doesn’t happen here.  Remember the massive Laguna Beach fire in the 1990s?  Changes were made.  And its time for our elected leaders to take a good hard look at how well-prepared OC is to handle a disaster from wind-swept fire.

First, some facts about the water situation in Pacific Palisades and Malibu:

1 – Reservoirs and water tanks were at normal levels and completely full before the fire.  Updated; the Palisades reservoir was empty and not operational; there’s an investigation)

2 – All 114 city water supply tanks were fully stocked pre-fire.

3 – A 15-hour surge at four times normal demand reduced water pressure.

4 – High demand at lower elevations slowed refilling tanks at higher elevations.

5 – This unprecedented fire was fueled by 8 months of no rain and 85 MPH winds. Water is being brought in continuously.

6 – Even if, like Donald Trump claimed, the protection of the Delta Smelt caused over regulation by California, it’s the Federal Endangered Species Act that requires the protection of endangered species like the Delta Smelt and their habitats, not Gavin Newsom or California.

If, like me, you have friends who have lost their home, find ways to help them and help others.  Make donations of these items at shelters:

• Water
• First Aid supplies
• Diapers
• Flashlights
• Batteries
• Tampons/Pads
• Jackets
• Blankets
• Pet Food
• Masks
• Zipties
• Hygiene products
• Gauze
• Saline flushers
• Food

Be grateful to firefighters, police and first responders.  Praise to journalists offering timely information.  Thanks to those transporting horses and livestock to safer places, and to friends and families helping those who lost everything cope.

Many in the fire zones had their fire insurance cancelled prior to the blaze.  Time for government attornies to investigate if this was done lawfully.