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Stendahl Syndrome - I was searching for the phrase to describe what I was feeling. Thank you for framing it. Brilliant report. What a buzz that game was and fun to relive it.
The "perfect storm" phrase is getting used. We've had .2 inches of rain this season. Essentially, no rain for about half a year. The place is a tinder box.
The winds were incredible, gusts 60 - 90 mph. Once the fire started I'm not sure there was a way it could be controlled.
However, investigations into mismanagement and arson are starting. Reportedly the fire teams were trying to use hydrants that had no water pressure and a reservoir was "offline" and couldn't be used. LAs mayor is looking at a recall. Phone and electric lines managed by utilities are also going to be scrutinized. I wouldn't be surprised if some sicko kicked off at least some of the fires and that is being investigated.
I'm not going to dive into climate change, but if a little Los Angeles history helps, the first nations people in this area, the Kizh, practiced controlled fires over 500 years ago to stimulate plant growth and control fuel sources for potential natural fires. The first Spanish explorers here noted the smoke from local fires. The upshot is that fires, and trying to control them, have always been part of life in the region.
Yes, sort of like L Block mentioned, drought, wildfire and winds are a phenomenon in the state that probably need more attention when it comes to planning. I reckon we might see more guidelines and requirements for fire-resistant materials and landscaping by insurance companies and layers of government.
I live about eight miles from the Eaton Fire here in LA County. I mostly am using this post to send a shout to QPR in LA. QPR LA, feel free to send me a message if you want to maybe get together for a game. I've been looking for some R's to potentially connect with out here.
I grew up in LA so that I am an R's fan probably says something about my judgement and the questionable decisions I make in my life, but I actually agree with the posters who are criticizing over-coverage by the BBC. We realize there are more important things going on in the world. I think Brian nailed it with the comment on easy access to content. Throw in something like Paris Hilton and iconic landmarks and such. However, the BBC generally seems fixated on the US. The joke that is sort of true is that some folks in the UK know more about US history and politics than we do and I am always somewhat astounded by how much coverage US news receives over there.
Fires in the foothills, particularly during Santa Anas, are a way of life here in LA with our unique urban geography. But this one really is unusual and historic. i was actually scheduled to have heart surgery in Pasadena on Wednesday morning and got a call Tuesday night telling me the procedure was cancelled as my surgeon had to evacuate his home. But it's not just the wealthy who are being affected by this. A number of people I know are now homeless and they are just part of the thousands. A couple of friends of mine voluntarily left their home, just taking a few things and thinking they just wanted to stay out of the smoke. They learned last night their home is gone and all they have now are the few things they brought in their car. The foothill neighborhoods with the classic bungalow architecture and leafy streets have been wiped away. It is still settling in, but yes, that doesn't need constant updates on the Beeb.
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