Comments by "nuqwestr" (@nuqwestr) on "Michael Shellenberger Exposes Who’s to Blame for the LA Fire Disaster" video.

  1. LADWP is run by a commission elected by the Mayor and City council. The salary is not out of range. It was a DEI hire, no doubt, but this issue spans decades, not just this one new hire.
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  2. Santa Ynez small reservoir the larger Stone Canyon Reservoir was full and functional. Also, the Pacific Ocean was used to fight the fire. Hydrants lost pressure, not water.
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  3. The Sepulveda Pass is a large fire break. Fire driven by 60mph winds jump that break. But I generally agree. I talk to my city arborist and they are restricted by environmentalists from doing their job. Lawsuits have been filed against the city so they do nothing to trim the trees.
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  4. Santa Ynez is a small reservoir, the big one is Stone Canyon which was full and functional. Go ask your firefighter about Stone Canyon. Hydrants don't fight hillside brush fires.
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  5. We prepared ahead of winds, warnings went out and roads were closed, like Topanga Canyon, which backs up to Pacific Palisades.
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  6. Agreed, Skull Rock trailhead has fires all the time, they put one out a week before on Jan 1st. I also have history in Palisades going back to 1961. Homes that retrofitted to hardened against wildfire did not burn. At some point we have to look in the mirror. People in the Palisades like their overgrowth and high privacy hedges.
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  7.  @ytb40  yes we do, and wood frame houses can be fire resistant, and new codes are in place for that. It's not the wood framing that burns first, or even 2nd. With high temps the windows blow out, embers get inside and burn furniture, cloths, rugs and then the wood frames. You don't know what you are talking about.
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  8.  @ytb40  Okay, all the furniture metal, no carpets, no plastic, all like Fred Flintstone's house. I'm in LA County, we are having a high wind day, just noticed.
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  9. *Vulcan Vents* are specialized fire-resistant vents designed to protect homes from embers and wildfires. They are installed in various parts of a house, such as the attic, eaves, foundation, and soffits, to provide ventilation while blocking dangerous embers from entering. These vents are made with materials that can withstand high temperatures and flames, offering an extra layer of defense during wildfires.
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  10. Homes in the Palisades that retrofitted for fire did not burn. Homeowners also carry blame.
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  11. Matthew Szabo was appointed as the City Administrative Officer of Los Angeles by *Mayor Eric Garcetti**. His appointment was unanimously confirmed by the **Los Angeles City Council* on June 16, 2021. Wage negotiations with the Los Angeles Fire Department (LAFD) union, the *United Firefighters of Los Angeles City (UFLAC)**, are typically handled by **city officials**, including the **City Administrative Officer* and representatives from the **Los Angeles City Council**. The Mayor and other city leaders may also be involved in the negotiation process. This issue spans decades and administrations, not a budget cut made 5 months ago by Karen Bass, especially since the total LAFD budget for 2024/25 was increased.
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  12. I'm in LA County, we do the same, and even close roads, Topanga Canyon was closed to thru traffic a day before the winds arrived. Don't believe all you hear, much is politically based. I'm fully anti-woke, but Bass is not responsible. San Diego has the largest desalination plant in the Western Hemisphere. I listen to voices say California mismanages water for a "Smelt Fish" but that's NorCal. We need to push back on that stuff, too.
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  13. @ That's normal, happens in all our fires. What are you implying?
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  14.  @barbellenoregon  The Los Angeles County Fire Department provides all fire and emergency medical service needs for Diamond Bar. In addition to their firefighting and emergency medical service duties, Department personnel are also actively involved in other areas such as serving on specialized rescue teams, special training programs, and inspecting businesses for fire safety. For more information about the emergency and non-emergency services provided by the L.A. County Fire Department, visit any one of the three Diamond Bar fire stations: Station 119 Station 120 (Battalion Headquarters) Station 121 Be Prepared in the Event of a Wildfire Download a Ready! Set! Go! Personal Wildfire Action Plan (PDF) Harden Your Home (video) An in-depth VIDEO at ways in which you the homeowner can safeguard, or 'harden', your home that will increase the chances of it surviving a wildfire. Presented by the Los Angeles County Fire Department.
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  15. fire lacounty gov / rsg We can't say they didn't warn and prepare us. And we paid for the above with our tax dollars.
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  16.  @ytb40  those chimneys are burned and will have to come down. Even if a stone chimney appears to survive a fire, it requires extensive inspection and possibly needs to be taken down. This is because the intense heat from the fire can cause internal damage that isn't immediately visible. Here are a few reasons why: 1. **Structural Integrity**: The mortar holding the stones together can become weakened or cracked, compromising the chimney's structural stability. 2. **Heat Damage**: The intense heat can cause stones or bricks to spall, leading to future safety hazards. 3. **Hidden Cracks**: Small, unseen cracks can develop, which may later widen and cause problems.
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  17.  @charleneweege7149  Not the roofs so much, but there's a product called VULCAN VENTS designed to keep embers out of attics in high winds. *Vulcan Vents* are specialized fire-resistant vents designed to protect homes from embers and wildfires. They are installed in various parts of a house, such as the attic, eaves, foundation, and soffits, to provide ventilation while blocking dangerous embers from entering. These vents are made with materials that can withstand high temperatures and flames, offering an extra layer of defense during wildfires.
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  18. Bass won by a margin of over 46,000 votes, which was about 6 percentage points more than Caruso. Not stolen. 2.5 million votes cast.
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  19. 55:10 middle-class homes that retrofitted in the Palisades didn't burn either. The historic Charles and Ray Eames Home (The Eames Chair) was not burned even though it is surrounded by explosive Blue Gum Eucalyptus. The home was cleared of brush, the windows had fire retardant sprayed on them because of the high wind warnings. There are LA fire ordinances for brush clearance around homes, $500 fine, people ignored the fines. At some point the people in the Palisades need to look in the mirror. I had family in the evacuation zone, my cousins went to Palisades High School and my divorced father lived in the Palisades canyons in 1961. We all knew this would be a hard burn, and knew it for decades.
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  20. Los Angeles does hire goats to eat brush, and we closed roads like Topanga Canyon ahead of winds. The issue spans decades and both political parties. So much BS. Homes in the Palisades that retrofitted for fire did not burn. The State Fire Marshall has a website on who to hardened your house to fire. People did not listen. Time to look in the mirror, not at politicians.
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  21. Altadena, CA is not in the City of Los Angeles and it burned in the same way. Why the double-standard.
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  22. Palisades homes that retrofitted for fire did not burn. The California State Fire Marshall's office website has the information. The "elites" in the Palisades who could afford the retrofit didn't do it, now we are all going to pay. The California Fire Marshal has indeed provided recommendations for retrofitting homes to harden them against wildfires. Here's a detailed look at some of these recommendations: Vents: Attic and underfloor vents should be replaced with California State Fire Marshal-approved flame and ember-resistant vents. Vents with openings larger than 1/8 inch are particularly susceptible to embers. These modifications might reduce airflow, so consider this when making changes. Roof: Replace combustible roof coverings like wood shake or shingle roofs with Class A-rated materials such as asphalt shingles, tile/cement shingles, or metal panels. This is because the roof is one of the most vulnerable areas due to its large surface area and exposure to embers and flames. Windows: Ensure all windows are securely closed during fire hazards. Consider double or triple-paned windows or tempered glass for better heat resistance. Vegetation in front of windows should be removed to decrease radiant heat exposure. Miscellaneous Structures: Structures like gazebos, RVs, boats, and playground equipment, which are often combustible, should be either hardened with noncombustible or ignition-resistant materials or relocated away from the main residence. Create an ember-resistant zone around these structures. Siding and Decks: Non-flammable siding is recommended, especially where vertical wood meets the roof, as these areas are particularly vulnerable. Decks and fences should be made from fire-resistant materials or retrofitted if possible. General Hardening: The California Fire Safe Council and other organizations provide guides for homeowners on how to retrofit homes to withstand wildfires. These guides include recommendations on creating defensible space, using fire-resistant building materials, and ensuring proper maintenance like clearing debris from roofs and gutters. Pilot Programs and Assistance: There's also mention of the California Wildfire Mitigation Program, which provides assistance for home hardening, particularly aimed at low-income high-risk communities. This program helps with the financial aspect of retrofitting homes, focusing on both defensible space and structural improvements. -Grok
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  23. Los Angeles County Fire Department produced a video in 2019 on how to protect your home in a wildfire. It's only been viewed 1,500 times in 6 years.
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