Fire Captain Breaks Down Los Angeles Wildfire Disaster | WSJ Hindsight

[@wsj]

Blaze-stricken Los Angeles contends with fresh fires, resurgent winds: on.wsj.com/40xyqhZ

[@Ryanboss64]

Fire is in Chula Vista, San Diego. 200 acres 0% containment

[@Penquin12344]

Because there isn't any water

[@jimjames6990]

That clown did NOT do his job and cost LA 200 BILLION IN DAMAGES

[@reardelt]

It is mismanagement. It's simple. The richest state in the history of the world can't even manage to have enough water to put out fires. That's embarassing

[@lowkeywun878]

​@jimjames6990 who?

[@davissae]

The loss of life was shockingly low for how fast and complete the devastation was. First responders deserve to know they have saved hundreds of lives.

[@thereseember2800]

My cousin’s daughter is a Sheriff assigned to the Alta Dena wildfire. She said that they’ve already found 200 human remains. Who knows how many human remains will be found in the Palisades & Malibu. They’ve been grossly under-reporting.

[@TB-ni4ur]

First responders were not there, this is disinformation and well documented... People largely evacuated themselves and neighbors help and looked after other neighbors. The palisades is somewhat unique in LA in that regard, this is a family friendly place. Transplant people from LA proper into this situation and 100k people would have burned or been murdered...

[@alvaroprieto2092]

all these fires surround city so people just need to drive or walk a mile into the city, to escape its different with other fires really in the middle of nowhere, i remember another in norcal claimed 100 people

[@intheshell35ify]

You mean shockingly low for the sensationalized news lies and moans of the rich??

[@madclone84]

@@thereseember2800baseless statement and promoting a conspiracy

[@brucemorrison8357]

As a retired water engineer and former volunteer firefighter, I thought you did a great job on this video. Way better than the ignorance spouted by so many pundits, politicians, and internet "experts."

[@AngelinaMae-r3y]

Shut up San Diego, fallbrook, otay Mesa, Ramona and parts of LA are still burning you and this captain know nothing.

[@jaredbinks5448]

@@AngelinaMae-r3ylol, nice demonstration of “ignorance spouted”

[@lorenzoblum868]

Dry sub Mediterranean vegetation, strong Santa Ana winds, high density of huge properties with barbecues, drugs, guns, cigarette buds, broken bottles acting like magnifying glass on twigs, wooden houses filled with highly flammable stuff, small windy roads and oligarchs ghettos where fire stations do not suit, unprepared citizens and little visibility due to heavy smoke screen... What could go wrong?

[@erikpienk]

@@jaredbinks5448 dont fight these people, they will never learn something new, once they learn something for the first time they will never forget, sadly for most is the wrong information

[@jackkelly6282]

​@@erikpienkwhat information is wrong? I've had people tell me that I'm wrong after stating verbatim what the officials told us during press conferences. Actually had to show someone a video in one instances after they tried to do what your doing just now. Which part in the process of relaying information given out by officials on the ground does said information become a lie? Help me out. I've actually seen folk agree in one comment then argue about the same thing in another. It's really weird behaviour.

[@urbanstrencan]

Hats off for all the firefighters

[@Skipbo000]

NOT

[@ItsAcheon]

@@jimjames6990 2/10 ragebait, good try though.

[@Eldagaitaofficial]

Average ragebait...you think firefighting is like serving fast food​@@jimjames6990

[@reginaldsmall3766]

What have the fire fighters done? The fire has been spreading for the last month. The fire man have not done there job. They are in for the morning money.

[@inthedarkwoods2022]

its their job

[@nannerz1994]

Fighting this fire was like fighting a tornado absolutely impossible. Thank you to all the first responders

[@80percentr15]

Tell that to the people who saved their homes with a garden hose

[@oaktharas]

@@80percentr15if only there are 100000 firefighters. At the peak, there were only 5000 firefighters including 1000 inmates on Palisades fire

[@grandpabill1959]

I’m 5th generation Californian. This was avoidable. Fire season trucks are staged ahead of time. Helicopter are off the ground. Not having water would make the difference. It’s a dessert. A dessert! When you take out experienced leaders. And put in the fa**it’s this is what happens. My question is will they keep voting for this. I think not. Do good.

[@CDFCaptain93]

He said it all when he said "we have 20 minutes to catch it". He is 100% correct. That's the difference between a small and catastrophic fire. And the clock starts ticking when the fire starts, not when it's reported.

[@evermar1]

I've lived in Souther California all my 70 years and never experienced the winds as they were that day, up to 90 mile gusts in the fire area. I heard a fireman say fighting a fire with winds over 40mph you are just observer. I despise the "pundits" pulling the ignorant remarks out of their rear end and stating as fact.

[@donaldmorrison9940]

I don't think anyone thinks that these fires were controllable in the circumstances. Conservatives are concerned about a lack of good preparation - ie, brush control and water supplies. We've all seen videos of thick, dry brush running right up to houses on the edge of towns. There's one video of the fire barrelling up a gorge into a neighbourhood. That's madness, and very foolish since we know this is a huge risk for LA and similar places.

[@RA-dh1tb]

I live in Pasadena, and I did not get any sleep on January 7th. The winds were so loud, and our tree branches were breaking off. I kept checking the status of the Eaton fire to make sure it wasn't heading our way. People who do not live here continue to blame the lack of water pressure, but the dry weather and 100mph gusts of wind are what made this one of the most disastrous fires in our history. Thankful to all the fire crews in LA, Pasadena, and all over that have done their best to put these fires out.

[@evermar1]

@ You are correct on the preparation. I edited and took out "conservative" because it is coming from all sides, but some of the most ill informed lean that way.

[@steveguillory7568]

I’ve only lived in SoCal for 50 years but agree with you 100%. I’ve never seen winds like that. Combine that with 2 prior years of heavy rains and the most recent 8 months with none, truly a recipe for disaster. But you can’t tell this to red state people. To them, it’s DEI this, delta smelt that and incompetent democrat leadership. They won’t hear anything else. To be fair, do I think some mistakes were made? Sure. Why was the reservoir offline for over a year? But, how much blame do we place when other states are hit with hurricanes or tornadoes? I’m sure there are things that could have been done differently there too.

[@TB-ni4ur]

@@steveguillory7568 These wind patterns are normal for southern CA, no record breaking winds here Bud, you've just been complacent until now. At least you're paying attention to politics now so that's a good thing, I guess. Now for your reeducation; Chaparral forests are always DRY after summer, drought or rain conditions the year before really are irrelevant. What's important is wind speed and biomass. Reach a critical biomass in these places with the right wind conditions and all you need is a spark, surround your houses with palm trees and you're done. Many places in SC have been constantly building biomass the last 100 years and are a matchbox waiting to explode, but good luck explaining this to a low information default liberals, they only see things in terms of red and blue, so to them they vote based on letters and nothing else. This WILL continue to happen, the accumulation of biomass is building exponentially, these fires are simply one step forward, 100 steps back in that regard. The only hope is for people to get off their high horse and recognize they and the people they elected are incapable of dealing with this situation and they need outside expertise to come in and solve their problems for them. Good luck with that though. In the meantime, this is just the tip of the iceberg. Good luck to you, though complacency will only last so long.

[@gouthamsrinivas700]

This video explains the action taken very accurately.

[@PHlophe]

I am currently in Kerala, india and it got me thinking if something like this happens here. entire state GONE ! and before sunset . when he said fires moved like freight train. I felt that.

[@Skipbo000]

if it were only true.

[@TB-ni4ur]

LOL But they failed miserably in every regard. Talking about what you wished happened while ignoring what did happen is failed government 101...

[@reginald6045]

The reactive action taken, not preventative or preparation

[@eazeyt1759]

That’s what happens when experts speak vs Fox News hosts

[@jacktoy3032]

Excellent description of the events and the timeline. One outcome from these fires should be a revision of the building code so that it mandates the use of Class A fire-resistant material for all reconstruction and new constructions. In the future, when a wildfire encroaches on an urban area, urban firefighters will likely have reduced number of structures burning to deal with.

[@Skipbo000]

if it were only true. they were late, late, late.

[@The_Homie_Khaya]

@@jacktoy3032 that's not what regulations are for...

[@LarryRErickson]

Exactly. House to house ignition and poor fire hardening from blown embers are the reasonn for entire streets destroyed and that is due to building codes, materials and construction techniques - open eaves vs closed eaves for example AND a 5 foot non-flammable safe area around each home.

[@milessampson3942]

👏 Nothing like listening to pure facts stated clearly and profoundly from an accountable professional on the front lines of the response. There's so many layers to firefighting that get overlooked, not to mention the intracacies of Los Angeles' geography and unprecedented weather circumstances that started and fanned the flames of these fires.

[@Skipbo000]

how do you think he's going to describe it? Truth is they were late, late, late.

[@mikess56]

Pure facts? Accountable? Jesus Christ dude want some oceanfront property in arizona?

[@terri6854]

@@mikess56 Oh, did you buy some Arizona ocean front property and now you need to offload it? Oh, poor Gomer. They saw you comin'.

[@mikess56]

@ don’t rub it in

[@AdnoidHister]

@@terri6854 you like fish heads 🙃

[@nannerz1994]

Thank you Captain Scott for working so hard to save lives and property and for explaining this so well. I'm sorry about all the haters. We're lucky to have you 💙🚒💛

[@KahielThompson-u8r]

The a golf ball start the big fire

[@rocker1jul2010]

6'4" 220? Dude is ripped.

[@mranderson8725]

@@TheHamboy69what does dei mean

[@Monkerey]

​@@mranderson8725It's the genetive of the Latin word "deus" (god)

[@ck1578]

@@Monkerey Gratia Domini nostri Jesu Christi, et caritas Dei, et communicatio Sancti Spiritus sit cum omnibus vobis.

[@MRLONG758]

​@@TheHamboy69 oh brother

[@Monkerey]

@@ck1578 exactly

[@lakeguy65616]

Before rebuilding is allowed, building codes must be updated to reflect reality. Codes must mandate fire-proof and fire-resistant materials and more space between structures and flammable vegetation must be minimized.

[@SuzzieQue-i9k]

Or the water needs time to replenish call has a water drainage problem..

[@sbar3546]

And the dead brush around housing developments removed.

[@sbar3546]

And water has to be in hydrants. Just basic stuff for firefighting🤔

[@DrJohnnyJ]

@@SuzzieQue-i9k I don't know what you mean. The water will never replenish in the mountains. This is a semi-desert area.

[@russellstewart5414]

Building codes for fire resistant buildings not going anywhere. That will triple the cost of a home in an area that has a high property value to start with. Add in the previous mortgage and lack of insurance and it’s reported that half of the homes will never be rebuilt. That will put strain on the housing market and those that are rebuilding will face shortages in all aspects including labor, materials and documentation and financial. This will take a decade to return to something resembling the previous neighborhood

[@Isolynsounds]

Thank you all first responders for fighting these fires for us

[@paxundpeace9970]

In urban areas you quickly have 10 or 20 people living per acre need evacuation. To evacuate more then 10,000 people an hour is a massiv challange.

[@JacquesofAllTrades-l4x]

I believe Pacific Palisades has about 5,000 domiciles. If people were at home in half of them and they only took one car from each home, that is a single line of traffic 10 miles long. CHP and local police would have had to block traffic for miles around to improve evacuation routes. And how you gonna stop people from trying to get into the area to pick up their kids?

[@tonics7121]

It is a massive challenge if police and fire dept have not planned and prepared so everyone, including homeowners, knows EXACTLY what is expected. EVERTHING - every single thing - was TOTALLY mismanaged through lack of planning and PREPARATION.

[@TL-pz2kp]

@@tonics7121 agreed.

[@JacquesofAllTrades-l4x]

@@tonics7121 Tell us what city you live in and how they notify people in advance what to do. One problem we have today is everyone has their own media channels. 30 years ago everyone had AM/FM in the car. Before that car radios had a circle with a triangle at each end of the dial. These were civil defense stations and had 50,000 watt transmitters. In a disaster they both broadcast info and they were easy to tune because of the marks.

[@christinas4528]

Watching local news in real time that day was terrifying,---the lack of rain for months and unprecedented winds, we instinctively knew it was it was just the start. We have the best fire fighters in the world, and they were powerless to stop this perfect storm of chaos.

[@XHollisWood]

Great analysis Capt. Scott 🔥✌🏻🚒

[@Skipbo000]

describing his own work? hardly unbiased.

[@KylesRV]

@@Skipbo000His analysis appeared factual. The critical incident debrief will be pretty raw inside LAFD. Ours are very open discussion and action oriented.

[@Grant-g4m]

Waterless fire suppression?

[@drgLACity]

Retired LAFD here. Because of historic budget cuts of 2011 and subsequent seven year hiring freeze, all of the 106 LAFD fire stations were about 60% of its full strength from pre 2011. Prior to 2011, LAFD had more fire engines, ladder trucks, and ready reserve fire engines for off duty firefighters that come in from home. Prior to 2011, the LAFD had the staffing and equipment to staff extra equipment on windy days just for this type of fire. In those pre 2011 days, the initial response in Palisades would have been a four times the strength: 12 fire engines and 1 ladder truck ( 54 firefighters 6,000 gallons of water). If you catch a fire soon enough, then Yes you can control it. And in the post 9/11 years, DWP made sure we had plenty of water. DWP took a 117 million gallon water reservoir off line over a year ago to do a repair that was supposed to take two weeks Someone is trying to save DWP’s reputation even in the face of this tragic conflagration. Not the first time information was swept under the rug. LAFD needs FEMA funding to hire 2,000 firefighters to restore the cuts from 2011 and keep up with the constant amount of atrtition retirees. LAFD needs to open three additional training academies. That have the locations on stand by. Due to staffing shortages and funding, they can only operate one training center (DT81) of the four available. DT40 DT89 DT FHMTC

[@rr4298]

Lack of prep cannot be over come .

[@scottmaasmedia]

Great segment explaining the detail, terrain and resource challenges involved in fighting these fires. To all the first responders, Thank you for your service!

[@paxundpeace9970]

The way LA is build into the hillside you do have many areas that are mostly winding streets and culde sacs with few access points to leave the general area. So those are large chokepoints.

[@williamlloyd3769]

Keep in mind Altadena started being developed in 1900s and Pacific Palisades in 1920s so standards were very different or didn’t exist. A lot depends on the RE developer at the time.

[@Joe-m9z]

@@williamlloyd3769 All depends on governmental prunning and grooming of the wildlife areas so no fires can get out of control.

[@LAHockeyMaxx]

at <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="224">3:44</a> you can see two of my neighbor's houses burning. We didn't have much warning other than thick smoke pouring into our homes. By <a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="405">6:45</a> PM flaming embers were swirling through the street and covering the roofs. We only had so much time to leave. It's very eerie to see in this video that is doing insane numbers.

[@PHa-l6v]

Good video. Good explanation of issues.

[@Redmenace96]

Great coverage. Was looking for more maps, and more step-by-step timelines, more expert commentary from news media. Of course, what I got was celebrities, pets, and confusion. Good job, WSJ!!

[@stevelandry6825]

It helps to have enough water stored so the hydrants don't run dry. Pressure is key.

[@TheRadioAteMyTV]

Oh the pressure is on now.

[@Grant-g4m]

Thank you. As important as psi is gpm … zero gpm is zero psi. The waterless reservoir fire suppression can be excused and cya’d … how did that work out? Fail.

[@user-se2xg7tq5u]

Who would have known? Every Angelino. LAC has been fire prone for decades. From arson to aging infrastructure. We all know the system was overtaxed. Largest reservoir in palisades was under construction. Who is responsible for this? We pay our tax dollars and they want to blame global warming? Global warming didn't prevent water retention infrastructure from developing. It didn't prevent improvements to aging electrical grids over 100 years old nor the water system. It didn't cause Karen Bass, Newsom to defund, reduce funding to first responders including fire departments.

[@DrJohnnyJ]

Just a comment to everybody. This is not a Californian problem, it is a problem in Los Angeles. A lot of California is either rain forest or desert. Central California has a huge river system so it is not useful to generalize about California. Also, responsibility lies within Los Angeles county. Governor Newsom is not involved, although Trump blames him. When the National Forests burned a few years ago (over one million acres of federal land), that was Trump's responsibility. All of the comments about preparation are correct. However, the people in the area are rich, powerful and do not accept limitations. The don't burn the slopes, install irrigation, or remodel for safety. Just like Florida. They know hurracanes are coming but they keep building the same way.

[@TL-pz2kp]

This is an environmental issue that has been changed due to environmentalists having too much control in how California manages its forests and the chaparrals. The state no longer manages the undergrowth of any kind which has created a tinder box out of the state. Main problem is this: environmental groups have shut down logging/brush removal with a hands-off approach to our forests; shut down access roads & let them get overgrown, so now they can’t be used for fire suppression & emergency equipment; fought ranchers for grazing, which helped keep the forest floors clean; they made fun of Trump when he said we need to rake the forest. Experts say raking forests and undergrowth throughout the state would have prevented the devastating fires we see now. Finland’s own forest specialists declared that Mr. Trump was correct. The important point is that Calif must adapt to both weather & climate change, and revise past practices that are now known to cause serious problems. They must manage forests better, more scientifically and more responsibly, with special attention to areas where large populations of people reside. Not only that, clearing shrubbery and overgrowth conserves more water as it doesn’t get preabsorbed by overgrowth.

[@KylesRV]

Florida made significant changes to building codes after Hurricane Andrew. They don’t “build the same way.” Texas has also dramatically improved construction methods in hurricane areas.

[@PianoBangBang]

@@KylesRV is that why insurers are refusing to cover hurricane and flood damages for folks in Florida?

[@PianoBangBang]

@@TL-pz2kp You should take those "facts" and make a video or just watch the one you clicked on

[@KylesRV]

@@PianoBangBang I believe you mean they are not writing policies. There are a number of factors weighing on underwriting decisions. Frivolous lawsuits and fraudulent claims, hurricane risk, catastrophe costs, overexposure to loss, and reconstruction costs are all weighing on insurance industry decisions. It is a concern for many Americans, including me. My county touches the Gulf of America, and this hits home. My comment was placed directly related to an ill-informed idea that construction practices had not evolved.

[@nasrulisaisa9975]

It's really sad, I hope those affected by the disaster gain strength.

[@oaktharas]

Palisades and Altadena, Sodoma and Gomorah

[@SandraWileyLA.BESAFEPRAYERSARE]

LA! FIRE DEPARTMENT. Stay Strong. And remain safe. ❤❤❤

[@davidh2809]

The comment section of these tragedies are full of the smartest and best know it alls of this country. Always first to be helpful with their wisdom and petty remarks!

[@paxundpeace9970]

Those brilliant people should be either help for real or already been out an holding brush lines in 120 degree heat and smoke.

[@KeepItSimpleSailor]

Yet here you are, in the comments 😂

[@davidh2809]

@@KeepItSimpleSailor well, I got a lot of houses in California! And cars!

[@Grant-g4m]

Water doesn’t extinguish fire? Wow

[@DesignRhythm]

We've known water puts out fire for tens of thousands of years. These were intentionally mismanaged.

[@anthonyb4913]

Great reporting

[@AndreaDoesYoga]

The LA fires are devastating, stay safe everyone 🙏.

[@ayayronn]

its just so funny when people think theyre so knowledgeable about things and places they've never even thought of until two weeks ago

[@The_Homie_Khaya]

My guy, this isn't the first fires in California...it's just the worst. This isn't a new issue for many people as you have assumed. The severity of the fires could have been mitigated just like the fires happening in other parts of the world right now. It would have been cheaper to cut the shrub growth near homes, but they didn't. They could have built more reservoirs but choose to make that an empty promise...

[@sbar3546]

Only fact we all know is water douses fire.

[@ayayronn]

@@The_Homie_Khaya I’m referring to people who aren’t from here who think that “cutting shrub growth near homes” and “building more reservoirs” would’ve helped an area that has gone 8 months with no rain and had 100mph winds

[@noob.168]

@@The_Homie_Khaya removing shrub growth near home makes it prone to mudslides. you can't win against nature. gotta coexist with it. if it burns your home, it is what it is. the attachment to materialism has gotten way too far.

[@The_Homie_Khaya]

@@ayayronn I think the people that lost their homes would disagree with you on that...L.A voted for the wrong person and they know it because the candidate that had a plan and didn't have his property burn was not in charge. We all knew the fires were coming and the plan was to do nothing because there was nothing that could be done is not going to cut it. You are here trying to justify incompetence because what? You voted for it? And I guess the fires aren't really affecting you that much so you can afford to talk rich...

[@kxmrock]

i Appreciate the followup

[@pauliewalnuts240]

Whenever something bad happens, people always want someone to blame. The truth is, theres no water in California, especially for a population so large. Choosing to live in the hills & mountains comes with accessibility issues. People buy those houses for that reason, because theyre remote. California is just kindling, this should be expected like we expect hurricanes. Imagine if i said "why did they let this water flood my house?!"

[@Stefano10ace-e9l]

BS. *There is more than enough water. 100 plus Golf Courses in Palm Springs alone? There's plenty of water.* California wouldn't be California with out water.

[@MrConstipatedCow]

@@Stefano10ace-e9land the largest agricultural exporter in the States. Agriculture needs water, so California has tons - just not for your average plebs.

[@moneyobsessed]

Have you heard of a thing called Pacific ocean? Right on LA

[@karenkoe7096]

The water situation in CA is very complicated. Individuals own much of the water rights and much of the water is sent to central CA farms. The state and localities have no control over this water transfer.

[@karenkoe7096]

@@Stefano10ace-e9l A lot of the water rights are owned by Central CA farms.

[@jwillisbarrie]

Thanks for adding actual captions for the Deaf ❤

[@twelvestitches984]

When a home burns it opens up the water lines. When 50 homes burn the water pressure goes to zero. Homes in these fire danger areas need to be built out of cement with rebar so they won't burn. Also, every fire house and school needs to have a 10,000 gallon water tank with a one way check valve so the tanks can be filled but that water won't flow back into the city water line. This will give the fire trucks the ability to refill if the city water pressure goes to zero. They also need to plant drought tolerant blackberry, oleander, rosemary, and lavender plants to be a fire break.

[@keithfrotten5023]

the roofs burn first bc of the petrolum used to make shingles and the city is probley to broke to get the rest of the things you need to prevent this again.

[@twelvestitches984]

@@keithfrotten5023 Asphalt shingles are actually very resistant to fire but they won't hold out for a long time. As for the City of Pacific Palisades not being able to afford to build a few 10,000 gallon water tanks, the most recent estimates are that the fire damage is between $135 and $150 billion. A new home permit in my rural county costs $32,000. About 12,000 homes and businesses burned so that is $384 million dollars that will be coming in.

[@paulphotios3920]

Depends on the temperatures created and that can be over 1000 degrees and you will not survive unless you have specialised bunkers and trained personnel. Relying on mass evacuation is a flawed plan.

[@twelvestitches984]

@@paulphotios3920 There are many examples of cement homes surviving these fires. Tom Hanks home is cement and it survived. One three story cement home in Malibu survived even though all other homes on it's row burned. Another three story home had cement floors but all walls and the roof were wood so everything burned except the cement floors.

[@MatthijsvanDuin]

@@keithfrotten5023 I also recently learned that many buildings over there use a "vented attic" construction that can suck embers into the attic space, which sounds lovely

[@mmurph2686]

Our firefighters are incredible! Your reporter, on the other hand, said that it would take months to investigate. I think we already know how local and state officials prioritized other issues which cost people their lives and their homes.

[@Illiteratechimp]

Some of the LA fire fighters said the bus lane plan would block access to fire trucks But wouldn't open and clear bus lanes provide dedicated routes of travel to all large municipal vehicles, including fire trucks?

[@andreirachko]

Absolutely! Busses, ACCESS™ vans for the disabled, fire trucks, police cars, ambulances, and some said even mail carriers will have exclusive access to those lanes. I still haven’t seen a a single good argument against putting them in place

[@asbestosfiber]

They have made bus and bike lanes in old European cities specifically for that reason. some cities have reduced response time by 50%

[@cherylmysliwczyk5716]

My geography professor in the 90s predicted New Orleans disaster, talked about the fire risk in California in that particular area as the natural plants are oily and explode. He said that Sacramento will have a huge flood, but I dont remember why.

[@FameForgenews]

Fighting these fires is an uphill battle, and it's clear that climate change, lack of resources, and urban planning challenges all play a role. Hats off to the firefighters risking their lives, but it's time for policymakers to focus on long-term prevention instead of just reaction. We need better infrastructure, smarter land management, and more investment in fire prevention strategies before it's too late!

[@magamaga1827]

has LA's climate changed? Is it now like MN or NYC's climate, meaning 4 seasons? If not, which i don't think it is, it's NOT climate change. You can't control the weather. Follow the science.

[@JetSkiSuper7]

Cities have been burning down for centuries now, as in, your climate change argument doesn’t fit here. It’s funny, 15,000 year ago during the last ice age, much of North America was under a couple thousand feet of ice. Who was burning fossil fuels back then? No one, that’s who. I’m not denying your science, just pointing out the obvious-the climate has been changing for what, 4 billion years? Let’s talk about the Moss Landing battery plant fire now and its impact on the planet.

[@reginaldsmall3766]

@@FameForgenews no such thing as climate change. God is in charge of all things and that includes the weather.

[@tyleryoungman50]

I would love to know how metal or clay roofs would have faired in helping to prevent houses from burning down.

[@jacktoy3032]

Agree. I've been watching various videos about fire-resistant building materials and practices, some going back years. I hope the lessons learned re construction techniques from the past wildland-urban interface fires, e.g. Colorado, Paradise Camp, etc..., are finally put to good use with a revised and stricter building standard that mandates the use of Class A fire resistant material.

[@BubblyViolin11]

Concrete and steel are gonna be your best bet. Palisades high school completely burned down, except for the main building. It’s built like a fortress and is made of mainly cement and steel. Even with the earthquakes, it’s solid. New tech is great, but sometimes old school works better.

[@johnharris6655]

After the Oakland hills fire, California banned Shake roofs made of wood, now they have to be composite and fire resistant.

[@tokomok]

Might help but with this sort of firestorm it can get hot enough outside to start combusting inside the house.

[@checkeredflagfilms]

Brush/defensible space in Urban area is a real challenge. Non native species palm trees, eucalyptus pepper trees have for decades planted and represent a huge fire hazard in close held neighborhoods. Also, the hillside vegetation, close to dwellings in the canyons, were not managed adequately. These fires are not new and have occurred for decades but humans forget easily, are unable to build a unified wildfire plan and thus the same scenarios tend to repeat over and over again.

[@OMGFrijoles]

Will it happen again next year?

[@CVA34WestPac]

I hope they pass new building codes that include fire resistant roofs, eves, siding and sheds. Also do prescribed burns during the rainy season. Build in fire access roads into the foothills for easy access. Add high flow ocean water fire hydrants like San Francisco has. Which can be used for these massive fire emergencies.

[@freeheeler09]

Agree with the fire captain. And agree that Fire is uncontrollable when winds are much over 30 mph. But take a closer look at the video. Look at the dense vegetation near homes and along roads. I understand the need for privacy screening. But look army the huge hedges near the walls of homes. And, most homes were not hardened. The vast majority of residents hadn’t even taken inexpensive measures such as removing all vegetation, wood and fuels from within 10’ of homes or replacing attic and crawlspace vents with fire rated vents. And major roads need to be improved as emergency access and evacuation corridors and firebreaks. When we rebuild, we have to rebuild smarter. Harden homes. Make 10’ stone or concrete patios all around homes. Get rid of wooden decks and fences and patio furniture. Install fire safe vents. Yes, this will cost money. But just the materials for a 3,000 sf home will push half a million dollars. Also, with ever more rapid climate change, these fires will only get worse! Don’t despair, stop burning fossil fuels and prepare.

[@gailmike2001]

Oh Kamala stop 😱🤣

[@KylesRV]

Did burning fossil fuels cause the ice age to melt?

[@minimalistic_banhaus]

Nothing about the policies of fire suppression that allowed tinder to build up over decades, invasive grasses that are more flammable?

[@z50king29]

I live in Pasadena, a mile from the evacuation zones. I was out that night packing away things around the yard. I've never heard wind growl through the trees like I did that night. I would stand against my house when the wind blew because it was insanity.

[@WarrenReunion1967]

The fire department and authorities knew they did not have enough capacity for large fire. They did nothing in advance for many years to find alternative means of protect protection. As stated in my previous comment. Having a pool, fire retardant, a house rebuild with fireproof materials.

[@asbestosfiber]

Yeah because cities always have the money to staff say 200 extra firefighters and 50 extra engines and triple the size of all the water mains because there may be a fire the size that no one has ever seen.

[@TheTimMcCune]

"Will a fire pop... If it does, where will it be? You don't know." - I woke up the morning of 1/7, heard the wind, and told my wife to pack evacuation bags, because there was a very good chance that the New Year's Eve fire would flare back up from a hot spot. If I knew, you should have known.

[@John_Smith_86]

There is no need to look back in hindsight. Experts were explaining precisely what the State government was refusing to do, for decades upon decades. This was a clear known event. I read about it many many years back.

[@KB8Killa]

This is pure propaganda framing the issue as inevitable

[@John_Smith_86]

@@KB8Killa Huh. Are you reading correctly? I am saying the issue is easily easily avoidable, if they just put in the work the experts told them to

[@KB8Killa]

@@John_Smith_86 the wsj is producing prop-Ganda

[@azslogan]

Excellent synopsis. Thanks to the fire department’s.

[@SustainableHuman]

So maybe stop building homes in the hills??

[@DitzyPanda]

At least build more fire stations, buy equipment and employ more firefighters in those areas as it grows! Shut off electricity in rural areas sooner too to minimize sparks.

[@TL-pz2kp]

@@SustainableHuman there’s an empty 117 million gallon reservoir sitting directly above and behind these homes. Built for this exact reason; as fire prevention, to have water easily accessible to douse the flames when they start. It was always inevitable and previously that reservoir assisted in stopping fires, in high winds which is always a factor.

[@keiththoma2559]

It seems like the fundamental problem is building high density into areas that have high risk of fire in particular dry areas on hills/mountains. In general providing non stop water pressure to areas in high elevation seems like its not really feasible unless we spend insane amounts of money on infrastructure. The best way forward is to mitigate fire risk as much as possible but even then it won't always be enough as those winds will always be a huge problem.

[@roundingcorners]

Funny how the Chief doesn't mention at all about fire prevention. Socal is one of the driest regions in the country, where is all the brush being cleared? Oakland was a victim too decades ago and now there's a huge motivation to constantly keep overgrowth cleared, esp. in the hills.

[@Some__Rando]

The number 1 thing that fire departments and engineers need to do on the offensive side, is develop ways to cut-off or physically catch blowing embers while the embers are mid-air. Embers close to the ground can't travel as far, so its the ones mid-air that cause the most spot fires and exponential spread. It is clear from all of the footage that it wasn't possible to contain with water due to the wind. So there needs to be a separate strategy in extreme wind events that uses the wind itself as part of the strategy, and that doesn't rely on water hoses or aircraft. Something totally new. (I don't know exactly what though, because I'm not an engineer.)

[@tommyle628]

Something totally new but hey then the budget was cut, can't make them innovate without decent budget.

[@Some__Rando]

@@tommyle628 Well, it would take private research and or NASA / NOAA research. JPL, Cal Tech, and UCLA are also near the fire zones. Maybe they will all unite to tackle this problem.

[@nacpatil]

It’s very hard. Unless you have a really big blower that can blow over a km!

[@paxundpeace9970]

It's quite impossible to get fire up in to the air more then 30 ft over a large area or linee. You need millions of gallons for only a few hundert yards.

[@paxundpeace9970]

FD budget got cut due to billions lost due to police misconduct and police violence over the past decade. In recent Financial years they had both La and La county had to pay out 140 million each and 350 million each for lawsuits of police misconduct.

[@wesleymonske8103]

Do seed the area , plant cactus , trees. Terrace the place and use holding ponds before it gets wet . Plant trees , brush. You can do it.

[@randyklepetko6394]

They don't dicuss the offline reservoirs that could have kept the water pressure up. Why was it offline? Why does the media ignore this fact?

[@kenfeldmanLA]

Because it doesn't effect the water pressure. Santa Ynez is part of the multi reservoir Stone Canyon system that feeds three 3M gallon tanks that sit at the top of the Palisades. These systems are not built to fight fires on this scale in these kinds of winds. Perhaps it should have been designed differently, but once those the three tanks were being drained faster than they could be refilled.

[@pauljudd9825]

no water makes it difficult common sense

[@Grant-g4m]

I thank all who that refuse to believe in waterless fire suppression. 117 million gallons were reservoir was empty. Gravity fed hydrants. Waterworks can shut off parts of the grid affected by fire. The excuses and cya are astounding.

[@billwalt9026]

it took 45 minutes before the fire dept got onto the Palisades fire, according to home owners who first say it called it in and recorded it on iPhone and the home owner is a Lawyer. These have been going on since the late 1960's ,,,, when will we as humans be in a denial and default government system

[@cardinal1991]

So, nothing about how the Santa Ynez Reservoir, located in the Palisades and can hold 117,000,000 gallons of water, was empty for almost a year? Surely, it could have helped after the three tanks ran dry. Nothing about the millions in budget cuts that's affected staffing levels? Even the LAFD chief said there was a negative effect. Nothing about 100 fire trucks out of commission because there was not enough money for mechanics? Nothing about brush and forest management? We know California burns: foresight and prevention is the key.

[@catherinec2967]

The hurricane force winds prevented firefighting air craft from flying. Reservoir full or empty, they couldn’t use it for 27 hours

[@cardinal1991]

@@catherinec2967 It’s everything prior to the winds occurring that should’ve been done. I live in California. I know all about the Santa Ana winds. A competent governor would make fighting wildfires his top concern in this state, because they cost so much in property damage, lives, environmental impact, etc. He could’ve had volunteer firefighters from Canada, Mexico and our National Guard stationed and ready to go prior to this happening. They could’ve sprayed fire retardant in likely vulnerable areas before the wind picked up. They had almost a full week of knowing about these powerful winds coming, and he did nothing. And the LA mayor was in Ghana going to an inauguration! Newsom has presided over, as both lieutenant governor and governor, 15 of the most destructive wildfires in the state. He has no excuses.

[@catherinec2967]

@@cardinal1991 Did you watch the video? They did prepare for the worst. Plus firefighters are people, not inanimate objects to move around to fit some Monday morning quarterbacking fantasy

[@JohnKrestik]

@@cardinal1991 if an enemy country installed their agents as governors and representetives of California to completely ruin the state as act of war or terrorism the agents would have had the same covert agenda and do exactly what the California politicians and governor's have done turn the golden state to dung we have had real bad representatives and govenors. with water the central valley could give farm jobs to immigrants and feed the world every ship could go back to China full of food instead of empty Newsome spend 100 billion on a bullet train scam that will never be completed just 100 billion spent oh there is more it gets worse and worse better loggers cut down the trees than loose all the trees in fires if forests logged big fires would not have happened that one was spotted owl Newsome broke many dams that one was smelt

[@scope21]

@@catherinec2967 Re-read what cardinal said. He is saying the government should have prepared better for fighting fires. The video didn't cover anything about the prevention measures that could have been done. The empty reservoir is a major concern and screams of criminal negligence.

[@sbar3546]

Water in the hydrants helps alot!

[@thomas6502]

Thank you.

[@eshamis89]

To say that if they had enough water, it wouldn't have helped is ridiculous.

[@steveguillory7568]

Next time there’s a hurricane in your state go outside and turn on your hose. See where the water goes. Probably not where you’re aiming. But hey you’re the expert

[@eshamis89]

@steveguillory7568 I do have an s130 Wildland firefighter license. Water helps when dealing with fires.

[@steveguillory7568]

@ sure. When the water can hit the target. Does the water consistently hit the target when the wind is blowing at 90 mph?

[@eshamis89]

@steveguillory7568 If quantity isn't much of an issue, yes.

[@errhka]

You need enough firefighters to use that water - for each house fire there are usually 3-4 engines on each fire for only 1 building. In a quick moving wind driven wildfire - a fire you put out on one house can rekindle from a new spark as soon as you move on to the next one. That's why more water is a diminishing return.

[@Desi_Midget]

This is what happens when you ignore climate change and capitalism.

[@jerrymiller9039]

Actually, this is an example of get woke. Go broke. Back when promotions were merit based they had policies to prevent this

[@revisionfour]

Maybe you should move to the moon. Any excuse to keep voting Democrat

[@coloradod1313]

​@jerrymiller9039 what an ignorant statement.

[@ChrisWehadababyitsaboy]

there's stuff that was put out in the 60s about this and this region. the dei people care more about the hr process than actual work ​@@coloradod1313

[@mactire6045]

​@@jerrymiller9039How did they have policies to prevent something that is unprecedented? Extreme weather is getting worse and worse. Policies from the past no longer apply.

[@MizMeYeah]

These are my people. They heeded the warning that science was stating and they came out on top. If i had the opportunity to make a house eco-conscience and a respectable healthy budget, id do it! Its honestly the way to go in these times.

[@rwaxzy]

I might be stupid, but how did the fires start? Who started them?

[@ee1pj]

They started naturally, it is hot and dry af

[@sethechlin1264]

Lighting, sparks from a chain hitting the ground, heat from an exhaust, cigarette, camp fires, car fires next to vegetation, guns, the list just keeps on going Most fires are started this way

[@rwaxzy]

@@sethechlin1264 I see, makes perfect sense now, I didn't fully grasp how dry it actually is. Thanks for your reply!

[@sethechlin1264]

People that don't fight wild fires don't understand how often they happen and no one ever hears about it, because they get put out when they are small. There are arsonists sometimes also.

[@TheImmoralities]

powerlines have caused the majority of CA's largest fires. whether it be a branch or something else falling on the lines or the lines going down for one reason or another. PG&E alone is responsible for and has plead guilty to well over 100 deaths.

[@joynay8405]

Why did you not put the water problem with the empty reservoir being empty with no repair and all the down fire equipment?

[@josephinadelamartiniquemin5448]

All standing ready when not enough,because of budget cuts, and no water reserve, doesent mean shi. ?

[@mhyl02]

Imagine if you could hold Trump’s attention long enough for him to understand the complexities of these fires.

[@paxundpeace9970]

One of those supper scoopers got damaged by a drone with in week one. Taking it our for over a day. This airplane would otherwise be able to put 30,000 gallons of what on a fire per hour.

[@waisinglee1509]

One of only two.

[@Desi_Midget]

Fire content

[@davidweis7738]

Shame on Trump for uneducated references to a complex wildfire situation.

[@Pmoosa-n7]

We really appreciated this interview. Would creating horizontal channels help during the upcoming rains?

[@Crypt_AU]

The donald says they should have just turn on the sprinklers. Good job voting him in you idiots.

[@gregraines8082]

The greatest firefighters of all time.

[@lukkevin]

I wonder if anyone watches Fox News will ever see this video…. “The fire grew because of the fish and the lesbians”

[@Joe-m9z]

Who to blame? The state knew years and years ago to clean up the brush etc. around the wild life area,s esp near the cities or else. Common sense tells the story; get rid of the fuel do away with the igniting tender and there will be no run away fires ragging out of control. People yell O it costs to much! Tell us now how much it costs. If the state does not start this year in the next month or two cleaning up the mess in the wildlife areas then let every city in the state be consumed.

[@adamfrbs9259]

You cant just ignore all the problems and say it's risk ya just live with. Look how Las Vegas diverts flood waters, look how the rest of the entire country handles forest management. Cut some fire access roads in, maintain the brush, create fire breaks. For water, flood culverts and drainage system. You've placed homes wherever ya felt like it on the hills for decades, no curb and gutter, no retaining walls even. You built like a toddler would with legos. Time to build and handle correctly the topography of your land and its fire risks. Not hard. The rest of the country has been doing it for many decades.

[@ElvinaIvy-m4f]

Happy I got in early with ADX.

[@rogerfed2030]

Blame the do-nothing democrats

[@LazzieMazzie]

5:26

[@guymross]

Listenc @, these people you’re failing to defend are not your friends. They are an incompetent network of corrupt political appointees and appointers watching each other’s backs while letting your neighborhoods burn and rot.

[@cvshav]

That's an articulate speaker. Commend him for calling it brush fires.

[@chromebomb]

anyone trying to monday morning quarterback this has no idea what they are talking about

[@byronmatthews]

If you got bit by a snake, people would have a few questions. How did it happen, what were you doing, what could you have done to prevent it etc etc. This fire is still blazing and people wanna know why reservoirs were dry, tanks ran dry, the 45 min it took to respond to the Palesades fire, the refusal to maintain the forests, the obese lesbians running LAFD who admitted she wasn’t qualified for the job, the budget cuts, the caps on insurance rates that drove out insurance companies. It ain’t Monday morning quarterbacking, it’s called accountability and figuring what went wrong so you don’t do it again

[@shyone8386]

​@byronmatthews What went wrong? Mother Nature. The excess wind blew the fire everywhere; there is not anything they could have done to stop a fire from spreading so rapidly when most of their wildfire fighting assets were grounded. You just can't help being a bigot and having agendas to want to blame a specific set of people for something no one would be prepared for.

[@karenkoe7096]

@@byronmatthews Where exactly do you live and where exactly do YOU get your "information".

[@nonamegivenatbirth]

@@byronmatthewsExactly! Those of us who live here deserve answers and pay the most freakin taxes in the country. Politicians hold much of the blame for failed policies and kowtowing to special interest groups-and SCE/PGE-Corrupt Governor Gavin Newsom & Mayor Karen Bass!

[@TheImmoralities]

@@byronmatthews this is twice now ive seen someone say it took 45 minutes. the first engines were on scene within 15-20 minutes. could literally listen to archives of the scanner. first 911 call was around 1029, first dispatch came in at 1034, 1042 and engine was almost on scene, and by 1048 they were on scene.

[@RyanJamesDuffy]

<a href="#" class="seekto" data-time="368">6:08</a> officials say water doesn’t extinguish fire.

[@zyneenyz8969]

Firefighters are the true heroes❤ Reward them with a huge pay raise that they truly deserve.

[@reginaldsmall3766]

Why are they heroes? What have they done?

[@CPR12345]

@@reginaldsmall3766 more than you have ever done. 🤡

[@ucha10]

Virtually no one is blaming the on the ground firefighters, it’s the policies that led to this.

[@vshazam]

Wrong. Many are. There's a huge push against DEI coming from republicans, including the president. Which is a policy, but their claim is that the firefighters are incapable of doing the job because of the policy. That's blaming the firefighters on the ground.

[@karenkoe7096]

The trees actually hold the hillsides together.

[@Skipbo000]

well of course. the individual firefighters aren't to blame. they just take orders: LIKE FROM THIS DUCHE IN THE VIDEO WHO CLAIMS HE'S PERFECT.

[@ROYALRogers-b7v]

Adaxum’s focus on real utility is impressive.

[@WallstMack]

Gavin Newsome needs to be fired ! Him and the Mayor! This is ridiculous… No water available?!

[@carmenl163]

First, watch the video and then comment.

[@Stonewallgaston]

It’s probably cause they don’t have any water

[@robomark1324]

Did you not watch the video goofy ?

[@Stonewallgaston]

@ I live in LA and lost my home so I remember it as it happened I don’t need to watch the video. I remember what my eyes saw

[@OliDaChilla]

​@@StonewallgastonYou okay there buddy? Seems like you inhaled too much smoke. Should have worn a mask...

[@LaurieInMontana]

@@robomark1324having water would have helped. No excuse for not creating defensible space. They were warned.

[@Stonewallgaston]

@@OliDaChilla why are you crackin wise? People lose they home there belongings and you find it funny

[@captain_context9991]

Relax, America... If yall COULD fix things. At this stage, the world would be shocked.

[@MalakhiW]

Because we are totally the only nation with problems 😂 touch grass

[@daniel_dumile]

Meanwhile europes (including UK) economy has gone off a cliff when you compare it to America they love to point fingers at everyone but themselves while they legislate themselves to irrelevance

[@hildalaw7627]

@@MalakhiWevery country has problems but the us has big ones that should be fixed like every country

[@berrypi8865]

@@MalakhiW The U.S. has lots of problems the rest of the world doesn't have...in addition to the ones they have in common.

[@westrim]

Please name a Mediterranean climate nation that hasn't had massive and terrible fires in the last decade.

[@flyoverkid55]

It goes without saying that the conditions present during the early phases of these fires were a " perfect storm ". And while the intensity of those winds was unusual, it's fair to say that they aren't unheard of. They have a name, indicating that they are a common occurrence. While many factors can complicate firefighting, two are constants: Manpower and water. They are essential to a positive outcome and are the two factors that can be controlled by those who are charged with planning and implementing emergency fire response. In a population dense area like the City of Los Angeles, failing to address the need for those two critical factors is unacceptable. Someone has to be held accountable. The elected officials at both the State and County level responsible for the inadequate water supply, and to a significant degree the failed evacuation process, must be held to account. It seems the only group that could see this coming was the insurance industry.

[@Grant-g4m]

Bravo. Thank you. Universal truth regardless of where you live or what conditions. Manpower/equipment and water. Did I mention water? Like 117 million missing gallons no effect yet some old guy or dad and kids can save properties using .. pool water . Nothing to see here.

[@YoloSwagNinja]

Yea, the city is burning down, but at least the firefighters look like some of the local residents. What’s the point of beating a fire if you can’t do it with diversity? Thank god they saved the salmon too.

[@karenkoe7096]

What is wrong with you?

[@YoloSwagNinja]

@ What’s wrong with me? I’m just stating facts as they are, and the priorities of the governor, mayor and LAFD. If you don’t like the facts…. Well. Go change them.

[@Bakapooru]

What is wrong with you?

[@Bakapooru]

It obvious you don’t know that firefighters have special training that they need to pass to have the job. They’re all qualified. By the way, the little creeks in those canyons probably aren’t big enough to support salmon. Please be educated. Thanks.

[@haroldlipschitz9301]

@@YoloSwagNinja You have no idea what you're talking about. There are no salmon in LA. There is nothing the governor or mayor can do about a Santa Anas-driven firestorm. It's as if you comprehended ZERO of what the LAFD captain said

[@zachhoff9876]

I don't want to assume their gender. Is this a he or a she?

[@bobbyfrank737]

wow good one. You should do stand up you are so funny and creative

[@Fluskar]

@@bobbyfrank737skibidi toilet

[@paxundpeace9970]

Why are your friends so hostile then. Many parts of the fires were in LASD (County response areas) LA City and LA County lost billion to lasuits over the past decades due to excessive force lawsuits and police violence. That money is now missing in areas of firefighting.

[@briandonovan9091]

The big solution is cisterns like San Fransisco has. We probably aught to zone for fire resistance roofs and walls like stucco backed by gypsum board and Spanish brick type roofs. More home pools would actually help to. They were used as cisterns in the LA fire and they saved many houses. Folks, let's build back smart!

[@treasuretrails]

Because of the strong winds none of the tiny women DEI firefighters were even able to stand up let alone fight a fire...

[@NoNameToYou]

Grow up

[@coloradod1313]

@@treasuretrails what an ignorant statement. Do you think the firecheif is holding a hose? ... derp.

[@waisinglee1509]

Actually, a guy who was there said he was almost knocked down by the wind when he opened his front door. He weighs over 200lbs.

[@paxundpeace9970]

The issue is police draining city budgets due to multi million dollar lawsuits and settlements due to police violance and misconduct.

[@billsmith5109]

@@waisinglee1509 At 60 mph you get pushed around on foot. The women FF’s I worked with weren’t tiny. Odds are they could push you around. If you’d been on the job, you’d know that wouldn’t you.

[@newtalking3]

Before flames Control the v pattern brush as a policy and cut power lines early

[@TubaAziz-z1b]

Adaxum’s team looks solid, and the project seems well thought out. I’m cautiously optimistic.

[@tresaandino7495]

N. Richard says God bless California people ❤❤❤

[@RC_928]

Hope they keep what is salvageable. the Topanga Motel sign, Will Rodgers chimneys.

[@nannerz1994]

I've had the watch duty app for about a year and I remember that first brush fire of the day It was off of sunset and La cienega and they handled it like a pro cuz that could have gotten horrible as well