California Fires-Cause?

[VaTom]

Thoughts and prayers to those who have lost their homes. Understand the reason why the fires spread-winds, dry conditions, etc. What I haven’t heard is how these fires got started in the first place. Multiple fires simultaneously across a wide area in the 2nd largest city in the US. Just over a week before inauguration of a new president. Devastation enormous . Could there be some nefarious causes? Hopefully there will be an investigation into the causes.

 

[The Last Standing Knight]

According to TIME, a suspect was arrested for arson in starting the Kenneth Fire which is west from the big fires currently being fought.

I'm sad to say arson cannot ever be ruled out in these conflagurations and especially these...nor can decaying infrastructure such as exposed power lines and such.

In the southern California enviroment, one tiny spark is all it takes to go straight to World War III.

 

[BLACKHAWKNJ]

One version says the cause is fires in homeless encampments.

 

[DWalt]

One version says the cause is fires in homeless encampments.

Which is what I have seen proposed. But no evidence.

 

[Chuck24]

Good time for California to fall into the ocean, at least it’d put the fires out

 

[SWFan27]

There have not been any downed power lines or lightning strikes. I live near the area and arson is the suspected cause.

 

[CGhelofxr]

Good time for California to fall into the ocean, at least it’d put the fires out

At least the coastline !

 

[CalifEd]

One version says the cause is fires in homeless encampments.

Which is what I have seen proposed. But no evidence.

My bet is a 'homeless fire', before political correctness they were called 'hobo fires'. There are several encampments located out of the way in these hills and brush areas; few if any are being careful when making camp fires.

According to LAFD data in a May 2024 report, there were 13,909 homeless fires in Los Angeles in 2023, about 35 per day and almost double the number of such fires in 2020.

 

[Hair Trigger]

According to several news outlets, no specific cause has been determined yet. The reason it has spread so fast is partly because of the usually dry conditions in SoCal this time of the year and the unusually high Santa Ana winds. Then it delves into why there is no water available to fight the fire and not enough firefighters to battle the blazes, but that enters a vicious political arena and best not to go there.

 

[tdan]

I have also heard the reports about cookfires in homeless camps being the primary suspect. They say the LA fire department is always chasing down brush fires caused by these folks that are apparently allowed to squat anywhere. Kind of ironic that celebrity neighborhoods are now being destroyed by this social policy.

 

[DWalt]

I saw something on the news this evening that some jail inmates are being released to help fight the fires. Not sure that is a good idea.

 

[K.38]

At one time and maybe still Colorado had fire fighting teams of inmates.

 

[326MOD10]

I am pretty sure CA has a training program to teach fire fighting.

Excellent idea and I am guessing there is some vetting and pretty tight supervision.

I would applaud a group of inmates putting their lives on the line and giving back to help make up for things they may have done.

Apparently been around since 1915.and there are 35 camps throughout the state.

As far as cause I will wait for the experts to tell me.

 

[woodsltc]

I saw something on the news this evening that some jail inmates are being released to help fight the fires. Not sure that is a good idea.

Probably not many available.......they don't arrest anyone in Cali .

Don

 

[Ματθιας]

Yesterday, on X, there were videos of folks tossing gas cans out of an suv with the fire nearby.

 

[Warren Sear]

My bet is a 'homeless fire', before political correctness they were called 'hobo fires'. There are several encampments located out of the way in these hills and brush areas; few if any are being careful when making camp fires.

According to LAFD data in a May 2024 report, there were 13,909 homeless fires in Los Angeles in 2023, about 35 per day and almost double the number of such fires in 2020.

I've noticed there are no bums anymore either, just "homeless people".

 

[lihpster]

I've noticed there are no bums anymore either, just "homeless people".

I believe the current "correct" term these days is "unhoused". Apparently, "homeless" has a negative connotation to it. I wonder why?

 

[pantannojack]

Read a book: Rip Cord, Keith Nolan

 

[Rudi]

I have to say arson.

 

[Walkin Horse]

I remember Johnny Carson saying at least the mudslides were putting out the wildfires.