SoCal Fires ... is this a new thing???

*sir clinksalot* · 10-13-2008, 01:33 PM

As you all have probably seen, the fires have kicked up in SoCal again.

This question is for those of you that grew up in SoCal, as I did.

Growing up in the 70's and 80's I remember the winds that would kick up in the Valley every year. I used to love running through the playground at school, spinning in the wind, using my jacket as a wind catcher while riding my skateboard.

But ... I don't remember the fires every-year like they have been for the past few.

Of course we had big fires, but it wasn't EVERY year, or at least I don't remember it being every year.

Has it always been this way, or is this something new.

aimster · 10-13-2008, 01:42 PM

I honestly think some of these fires might be intentionally set. Someone must've missed fire safety day at school.

Olympicnut · 10-13-2008, 01:49 PM

That's funny, I was just talking about this with my coworker. Seriously!

-I- seem to recall there was always at least one brush fire somewhere around the Valley. Some years more, and huge, some years just a tiny one. I wonder if there's a SoCal brush fire record on the web somewhere. That'd be interesting to see.

*sir clinksalot* · 10-13-2008, 01:52 PM

Great Minds O-Nut ... Great minds.

sunnygirl · 10-13-2008, 02:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by aimster

I honestly think some of these fires might be intentionally set. Someone must've missed fire safety day at school.

I think if they were set intentionally, fire safety day at school kind of goes out the window.

MonstersGoBoo! · 10-13-2008, 03:08 PM

Just wanted to post a picture of the severity of the Porter Ranch fire.

LAist: Here's a Photo Showing How Intense the Fire is

It's insane.

*TinkPink* · 10-13-2008, 03:27 PM

I lived the first 25 years of my life in So Cal. I remember fires growing up. But yeah, I think it is definitely worse. There seem to be more fires more frequently for sure.

*sir clinksalot* · 10-13-2008, 03:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TinkPink

I lived the first 25 years of my life in So Cal. I remember fires growing up. But yeah, I think it is definitely worse. There seem to be more fires more frequently for sure.

Yeah, that's pretty much my memory too. There was a BIG fire every 2 to 3 years it seemed like. But now, there are what, 10 BIG fires EVERY year.

Odd.

spunkymonkey · 10-13-2008, 03:36 PM

I seem to always remember fires every year in the mid 80's, but the seemed to get larger in the 90's.

I grew up in the valley and remember the winds howling in october and november, especially in Chatsworth and Northridge.

WhiteMagick · 10-13-2008, 04:09 PM

I'm not an expert and I'm not 100% certain but I think a few things contribute to why these are appearing to be more devastating. Drought is one and population is another. I lived in SoCal in the 70's and 80's and I honestly don't recall then being as frequent or as damaging. But from what I understand from Fire Management folks the combination of a denser population in and around canyons adds fuel to areas already impacted from draught. I live in fear for my friends and family when these hot dry winds kick up. Stay safe everyone! And if you have to smoke ....... USE YOUR ASHTRAYS!!!

aimster · 10-13-2008, 04:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sunnygirl

I think if they were set intentionally, fire safety day at school kind of goes out the window.

That's why I said they probably MISSED that day at school.

mamabot · 10-13-2008, 04:43 PM

Areas that were undeveloped when we were kids growing up in the Valley are now developed. Those areas may have burned back then, but it wasn't as newsworthy because there weren't homes in the path of the fire.

Some are caused by arsonists, some by natural causes, some by back fires that get out of control. Does anyone remember the fire in Glendale in 1990? That was set by a member of the Glendale Fire Department. The arsonists can come from anywhere.

This time or year always makes me nervous.

Brain Toad · 10-13-2008, 05:55 PM

It probably has something to do with the record low rain levels California has been getting in the past few years. Everything is extremely dry now.

*sir clinksalot* · 10-13-2008, 06:55 PM

The most natural cause of a brush fire would be Lightning. Not an everyday occurrence here. Heck, maybe once or twice a year will we get a "lightning" storm.

Which means that most are caused by humans whether intentionally or unintentionally.

pratt55 · 10-13-2008, 07:21 PM

I found an interesting article on the So. Cal fires.

California history, culture haunted by wildfires | Reuters

10-13-2008, 01:33 PM	#1 (permalink)
sir clinksalot Happy New Year!!! MiceChat News Team MiceChat Moderator Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 19,162	SoCal Fires ... is this a new thing??? As you all have probably seen, the fires have kicked up in SoCal again. This question is for those of you that grew up in SoCal, as I did. Growing up in the 70's and 80's I remember the winds that would kick up in the Valley every year. I used to love running through the playground at school, spinning in the wind, using my jacket as a wind catcher while riding my skateboard. But ... I don't remember the fires every-year like they have been for the past few. Of course we had big fires, but it wasn't EVERY year, or at least I don't remember it being every year. Has it always been this way, or is this something new. __________________ - Gregg In states from Virginia to Maine, oak trees have failed to produce the usual abundance of acorns. What do you think? "It looks as though the revolt of the Maples as foretold by the bard Geddy Lee has finally come to pass."

10-13-2008, 01:49 PM	#3 (permalink)
Olympicnut Happy Winter! Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Baby it's cold outside. Posts: 14,108 Blog Entries: 49	Re: SoCal Fires ... is this a new thing??? That's funny, I was just talking about this with my coworker. Seriously! -I- seem to recall there was always at least one brush fire somewhere around the Valley. Some years more, and huge, some years just a tiny one. I wonder if there's a SoCal brush fire record on the web somewhere. That'd be interesting to see.

10-13-2008, 01:52 PM	#4 (permalink)
sir clinksalot Happy New Year!!! MiceChat News Team MiceChat Moderator Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 19,162	Re: SoCal Fires ... is this a new thing??? Great Minds O-Nut ... Great minds. __________________ - Gregg In states from Virginia to Maine, oak trees have failed to produce the usual abundance of acorns. What do you think? "It looks as though the revolt of the Maples as foretold by the bard Geddy Lee has finally come to pass."

10-13-2008, 03:08 PM	#6 (permalink)
MonstersGoBoo! Lost in Monstropolis Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Lake Forest, CA Posts: 1,581 Blog Entries: 19	Re: SoCal Fires ... is this a new thing??? Just wanted to post a picture of the severity of the Porter Ranch fire. LAist: Here's a Photo Showing How Intense the Fire is It's insane. __________________ http://flickr.com/photos/daniellekv/

10-13-2008, 03:27 PM	#7 (permalink)
TinkPink MiceChat Moderator MiceChat Moderator Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Dear God: Please forgive me for being an athiest. Amen. Posts: 10,293	Re: SoCal Fires ... is this a new thing??? I lived the first 25 years of my life in So Cal. I remember fires growing up. But yeah, I think it is definitely worse. There seem to be more fires more frequently for sure. __________________ Go Gold. All the cool kids are doing it.

10-13-2008, 03:36 PM	#9 (permalink)
spunkymonkey Yeah...I'm cool Join Date: May 2006 Location: Glendale Posts: 2,641	Re: SoCal Fires ... is this a new thing??? I seem to always remember fires every year in the mid 80's, but the seemed to get larger in the 90's. I grew up in the valley and remember the winds howling in october and november, especially in Chatsworth and Northridge. __________________ spunky likes to suck that 3rd nipple(why am I your sig line........freak)! - Posted by my good friend Samsma

10-13-2008, 04:09 PM	#10 (permalink)
WhiteMagick Look ..... Real Snow!!!! Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Northern Arizona but hope to be in the Pacific Northwest soon! Posts: 336	Re: SoCal Fires ... is this a new thing??? I'm not an expert and I'm not 100% certain but I think a few things contribute to why these are appearing to be more devastating. Drought is one and population is another. I lived in SoCal in the 70's and 80's and I honestly don't recall then being as frequent or as damaging. But from what I understand from Fire Management folks the combination of a denser population in and around canyons adds fuel to areas already impacted from draught. I live in fear for my friends and family when these hot dry winds kick up. Stay safe everyone! And if you have to smoke ....... USE YOUR ASHTRAYS!!! __________________ *DisneyBroad54*

10-13-2008, 04:43 PM	#12 (permalink)
mamabot Gingerbread Goodness Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Under the Mistletoe Posts: 14,813 Blog Entries: 7	Re: SoCal Fires ... is this a new thing??? Areas that were undeveloped when we were kids growing up in the Valley are now developed. Those areas may have burned back then, but it wasn't as newsworthy because there weren't homes in the path of the fire. Some are caused by arsonists, some by natural causes, some by back fires that get out of control. Does anyone remember the fire in Glendale in 1990? That was set by a member of the Glendale Fire Department. The arsonists can come from anywhere. This time or year always makes me nervous. __________________

10-13-2008, 05:55 PM	#13 (permalink)
Brain Toad Grumpy old man Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Sonoma State University Posts: 1,650	Re: SoCal Fires ... is this a new thing??? It probably has something to do with the record low rain levels California has been getting in the past few years. Everything is extremely dry now. __________________

10-13-2008, 06:55 PM	#14 (permalink)
sir clinksalot Happy New Year!!! MiceChat News Team MiceChat Moderator Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 19,162	Re: SoCal Fires ... is this a new thing??? The most natural cause of a brush fire would be Lightning. Not an everyday occurrence here. Heck, maybe once or twice a year will we get a "lightning" storm. Which means that most are caused by humans whether intentionally or unintentionally. __________________ - Gregg In states from Virginia to Maine, oak trees have failed to produce the usual abundance of acorns. What do you think? "It looks as though the revolt of the Maples as foretold by the bard Geddy Lee has finally come to pass."

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