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California Is Burning: Postcards From The Inferno
As if the drought was not disastrous enough for California, a consequence of the state's dryness is that nearly 6,000 firefighters are battling 12 separate wildfires raging across the Golden State.
As the Cal Fire chief notes, "We've seen a lot more fires, and with those fires, more and more people are at threat. Every day we continue to see new fires ignite, forcing hundreds to evacuate," and the following images from the infernos suggest there is no end in sight as "we start to see winds pick up and conditions are at their driest."
Firefighters battling the King Fire watch as a backfire burns along Highway 50 in Fresh Pond, California
Flames and smoke from the King Fire fill the sky above Fresh Pond, California
Inmate firefighters battling the King Fire watch for flying embers
A jet drops retardant on the King Fire near Fresh Pond, California
A helicopter drops water while battling the King Fire near Fresh Pond, California
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bullish!
Krug man has a hard on
Ive lived here all of my life and can say that this is as normal as earthquakes....bfd
OK, who's up for a roman candle fight?
Easy come easy go
Earthquakes, wild fires! Everyone should just leave that wretched state for their own safety. Remain calm, please exit as your city is called. San Francisco, Sacramento, Los Angeles residents please proceed to the exit.
I'll be fine, let me finish my beer and fish tacos and I'll get the door on the way out, I promise.
Not to mention the unexpected snow in winter.
California is doing just fine. The beaches are great. The swimming is wonderful. Deal with it.
Just slide into the god damned ocean already and get it over with.
But let's kill the logging industry, because the environment.
OMG! What will become of the Yellow Headed, Purple Patched Back, Red Throat turtle ?!
It's What's For Dinner
of course.
mmmmmm
turtle soup...
Please not the Giant Redwoods and Sequoias...
The big trees will be fine, they need fire to reproduce and are covered in flame retardant bark.
RIPS
Thanks.... I feel slightly better now.
And Bohemian grove is safe.....whew
without wild fires the redwoods don't drop their seeds--
google serotinous cone
an aside---its almost imposable to kill a redwood--only chemicals will work-- cut it down and shoots come up ---some stumps have been burnt for ten yrs or more and the shoots keep on coming up---most ag projects just give up and let the redwoods come back--
TBTF Trees?
If the trees are Too Big To Fail,
then Buy The Fucking Trees.
You heard it here folks, buy the fucking trees, BTFT.
That's how the big prosper: When the small competitors are gone.
I lived in Cali for 15 years and we have been evacuated and almost lost our home. I'm glad I'm gone.
I live a few miles where the Cedar Fire started. The largest fire in Cali history. At 1 Am the flames were topping the telephone wires in a wall of raging fire. Hard to describe, the sound was deafening and bright as day. Quite terrifying but I'm glad it did happen. Showed me where my prep was weak and getting looted made my decision never to obey evac again. The second time was lock and load and hunker down.
Unfortunately wild fires never burn down the right places in Cali.
Miffed;-)
How do you plan on surviving a wall of fire as tall as the telephone poles, which sucks up all the oxygen around. Even if you were underground in your basement in a concrete masonry block home. You would still die.
Being free born we should be able to decide how and why to die. We all owe Death his due. Ain't getting around that one. To each their choice.
Oh, I forgot! We are property of THEM. I retract my post. And those effers just won't die...
I sure hope Al Gore is kicking in a SHITLOAD of carbon credits or we're all fucked from the CO2 that's releasing.
And I think the EPA should fine the fire departments fighing the blazes by back-burning because they're releasing even more CO2.
And it's Bush's fault, of course.
That's a good point. CA has repeatedly rejected any attempts to thin out a lot of the old growth within the state due to bullshit "environmental concerns". Doesn't look like that's really helping the environment. The should be fined billions for all the CO2 they're releasing, as well as punitive damages for a pattern of allowing this to happen year after year.
When Tim Geitner came to pump his book at the JCC in San Francisco, he lambasted Austrians as pyromaniacx who want to abolish the fire department and let things burn.
He would make a good establishment forester.
If he ran the Forest Service or BLM, eventually Cal would be totally toast, just like the economy he ran.
Tim Geitner showed his face in public and nobody put a bullet between his eyes? What a shame.
Yeah, having them walking around with them smug look makes me sick. Confident their impunity is forever secure. Especially Tim with that fake smile of his. I'm embarrassed to admit I fantasize punching him in the face. Please, if it ever goes down, save him for me.
Miffed;-)
Comment remove by NSA
pending review by DHS....
Why don't yall do controlled burns? It is beneficial for the woods and wildlife and would save all this wildfire bullshit.
agreed, except for the controlled part.
let the fire run its course, the firefighters can sit this one out.
That would be great, but then there are the assholes that built their homes in the middle of the fucking forest, and they cry like little babies if their homes are threatened.
why is that a problem?
as the saying goes, if you can't stand the heat, stay out of the kitchen.
Krug man has a hard on
Long on home depot!
Now those firefighting guys and gals are the real heroes. High risk, long hours and little to no public recognition.
Nasty outside right now in Sierra. Morning are clear and summerlike and by the after the smoke blows in and the wind kicks up and it's just nasty eye burning menace. I hope the out door music fest I am going to isn't smoked out but I think it will be.
It smelt like some pretty good weed was burning down there there in Pollock? I swear I got baked from the smoke..Shitty time for a fire to go through American River Canyon just before harvest season...
It's smoking us out down here in Reno too, at least the far north part. Had to run the A/C all night last night and it looks like we will have to do the same tonight.
6 figure pension
CalPERS better get cracken'
Those are inmates from the prison system.
Farmed out to Cali by Prisons Inc for $100 a day (inmates receive $5 of that)...am I close?
$2
True that, but they can still buy stuff on the inside from the cart at pre- Jekyll Island prices.
and a pack of cigarettes
Of course, the reason that wildfires get so bad, not just in California but in the western US in general, is because fire crews are sent out to extinguish the fires.
The local ecosystems adapted to an environment in which periodic fires would clean out the brush and the deadwood. Some native plants' seeds won't germinate unless they've been exposed to the heat of a fire. Because the flammable debris would never accumulate to ridiculous levels, fires wouldn't get nearly as hot or intense, so mature trees would survive and grow back.
Eventually the funding and resources for such firefighting will run out. The first fires after that will be the most devastating, but once those burn themselves out, the natural cycle will take over again.
Hey, lookie here, a douche bag found some demented way to downvote this comment.
Edit. Junkers...a lot of firefighters are vols. No pay. Well, we get laid a bit because of our helmets..that is the only fringe benefit worth anything.
@Grande Tetons Good for you. I appreciate your volunteerism. You should also enjoy the fringe benefit of the feeling you get helping others. I junked this comment because half of the firefighters up there are inmates being paid $2 per day. I would like to see YOU get a paid job in a private fire department being paid a competitive wage to put your life at risk. I dislike the idea of slave labor. Also, some of these "hero's" are convicted felons. In my book, if they put out these fires they might get back to neutral standing, maybe...
I was a vol firefiigher/paramedic years ago. No harm no foul. However, if a felon serving good time can save my family or my property I will always put out my non combustible welcome mat. I will argue with him about labor ecomics over a cold beer.
Of course they're heroes. They're wearing uniforms aren't they? And those who aren't prisoners or volunteers are probably not even getting paid $200k a year. True heroes.
Yeah, and we're exceptional. Don't forget it.
Somehow uniform worship and exceptionalism don't go together. Exceptional? Put out your own fucking fire. Or let it burn, in the way it should.
Put out your own fucking fire. Or let it burn, in the way it should.
If I saw your house on fire or your family in peril...I would try to help. Afterward, I would let you mock my efforts.
@ D C --to bad the heroism is misplaced-- the forests usually don't need saving--its the Califonia realestate, with million dollar MMs in the mountanis and on the sides of hills that need saving-- give your life for the cracker box--- just saying
btw-- I didn't down vote you--
cog,
Inmate firefighters battling the King Fire watch for flying embers.
one of the photos shows a plane dropping them out
(in powder form)
They're inmates after all, that way the prison industry can rake it in ....bullish.
Fire suppression generally above 3000' in the west is a total waste of money. Those plant communities coevolved with fire and it's essentially required with a periodicity specific to each type of habitat. The reason these fires get so hot and big now is because 100 years of fire suppression has created excessive fuel loads.
Just like the war on drugs or terrorism there's a huge economy built around fire fighting. There're so many govt. employees gorging on the gravy train that ending the useless cycle of money waste is almost impossible. Govt. has no more duty to protect peoples houses from wildfires then they do protecting my house from a hail storm, that's what insurance is for. The real heroes are the leaders that end this senseless waste.
Well said. But don't give them any ideas, or we will have government employees with umbrellas everywhere.
I didn't downvote you but really? Do you actually know any firefighters? Cog I respect you and appreciate the abundance of thought you've shared at ZH but I live in a small mountain town in CA and over half my friends here are wildland firefighters. Right now most of them have been gone, for weeks, on one of these fires. Those guys pray for fires and call the smoke "money clouds". Its where the big paychecks are with hazard pay, overtime, etc. There's nothing they hate more than sitting around in their stations, doing PT (physical training) when there is a lack of fire. No recognition? Every community that has a close call with a fire is full of signs, on houses and in local businesses, that scream "thank you firefighters" or some such sentiment to the like.
My best friend here, who was a captain for 15 years but now is retired, hated the "hero" thing that was often heaped upon them. He said it was a job and they are just doing their jobs. He did say there are plenty of guys who eat that shit up though.
It's freaking hot in CA. Next up, rain and mud slides. That said, we do have very nice sunsets...
Yeah it is and I have to go to the desert next week.
Fire season is here and man the weather is cooperating, hottest days of the year. When the Santa Ana (desert) winds start (any day now) Southern Ca. will light up like Tesla.
Yup, remember them. People got real nuts too.
Used to be called the "Santana Winds." I liked that better...
.
Queue "Ccontempt for Liberal Bastion Cali" comments in 3...2...1...
Unfortunately, the Liberal parts of the state are not burning..., yet.
Gee, 4th picture down. Clouds look funny.
:(
Aluminized chem trails really make sizzle, for a loong time.
Too bad the last Martin Mars was retired last month.
I see the smoke every day to and from work. It's part of living here. So is the heat, it was 102 yesterday. I feel sorry for those firemen, they must be exhausted.
cool
BTW Weed was burned to the ground, strange name for town...
Weed is always burning in California.
Fucking A.
Firefighters racking up the overtime
who needs broken windows ...
Absolutely choked, reminds me of Hiroshima , Nam and ISIL shindigs. Let's put together another Task Force to fight this terrorism.
A good dose of Human Retardant ought to quell the flames.
Listen. Bring on the American "RETARDS"! lol.
If you study the geologic history of California you will learn that periods of extended drought are normal. In geologic history, it was not uncommon for the entire state to be aflame this time of year. All of the native vegetation are adapted to this and in fact thrive on it.
And then comes man....... 20 million in the desert basin called the Greater LA area, 8 million in the SF Bay Area and 3 million in the Sacramento area; 82% of the population completely dependent are water coming from remote sources. What could possibly go wrong?
Scientists tell me that the climate should be static from about 1954 forward to forever.
Vegas dies first, by the way.
I keep asking "what climate are we supposed to pick to not change from?" Inevitably, I get called a racist!
If you are building your house in a pine forrest expect it to have a fire come and visit about every 50 years. What are these people thinking??
nature speaks to those who listen.
Personally, I have come to the conclusion that nature does not care! I love the bumper stickers that say "Nature bats last." Yeah, and hits a grand slam! Just wait until the good old San Andreas rumbles off with an 8.0.
keep an eye on iceland for now.
Let them burn .. Rejoice in your suffering.
Burn up all that dead wood and thicket, let the sun shine down on the base of the floor and bring about new life.
it has become about the cheap buildings on the
expensive real estate where the agent and prospective
buyer, or current owner, have neglected the environmental
reality, ecology and geology on which they have all
predicated their exploitation. californication, for short.
hotel california and stuff ........
does aig insure against fire loss there?
Hotel california versión acústica en vivo)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j7ZiO_kaf5U
.
Earth From Space HD 1080p / Nova
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=38peWm76l-U
I thought the Ring of Fire was in the Pacific Ocean?
Golden state takes on a whole new meaning.
"Put a little Pelosi and Finestein on the fire,
boil me up bacon and some beans,
try to save the country from diaster,
lets all clean up Washington DCccccccccc"
"Reggie! I need moar gasoline! These fucking Americans are hard to kll!"
from one of the photos above:
"...A jet drops retardant on the King Fire near Fresh Pond, California..."
funny, I can't see yellen falling out of the plane in the pic, can you?
Suck it up. Whiny bitchez.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Fire_of_1910
Wow .. OZ is Mr. Compassion
This one was worse and even has a museum
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Hinckley_Fire
I have compassion for the exceptional who haven't cut themselves loose from the leeches. The leeches have used theirs up and burned down the welcome sign.
Almost to hot to jog in the morning here in California.
Every year around this season this happens. The threat to humans in California is wildfire...not earthquakes as much.
San Diego County is past due for another large one.
It was 108oF in Lakeside yesterday. It was 98oF today.
Some firefighter wanting some overtime pay will set the next fire. They usually are the guys whom do it. (Why? For the money...duh.)
Burn baby burn...
Wake and bake, bitchez!
Let me know when they see bigfoot running from the flames...other than that, I could give a ratazz
New ISIS strategy ... just head to Cali and set fires ... no heads off, but just burn 'em up.
At least Bambi had the sense to become a banker .
At least Bambi had the sense to become a banker .
The trees can take the fire, but what about the lack of water?
yes the lack of water can take the fire too. ;)
Did I miss the part where the Nigerian Army is sending 3,000 troops to help fight the fire and set up relief centers for the people made homeless by the fire?
Eddie Cochran - Summertime Blues - Town Hall Party 1958
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HWbXCz9UZYo
Dude
Ya gotta stop using the white font
Aren't there sacrifices to appease the gods to quell things like this? http://www.metacafe.com/watch/4567309/spartacus_crixus_theokoles/
These nice Californians have a very wet back yards.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2753877/Celebrities-billionaires...
And BONUS! A dry front yard!
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/northamerica/usa/11094232/Supe...
I wanna grill some burgers! Who's got da Meat, matches and lighter fluid?
It makes for pretty sunsets in Colorado. Just sayin....
deleted. posted in the wrong part of this thread
Get on your knees Jerry Brown and cry out for mercy
Good thing we have no global warming droughts to worry about because it's all a hoax. LOL