The Five Seasons in California
 

Five?
Spring, Summer, Fire, Fall & Winter.

'Millions of Americans believe they’re safe from wildfires in their cities. New research shows they’re not' Guardian

"Communities across the US that were once considered beyond the reach of wildfires are now vulnerable to disaster. As fires increasingly spread deep into neighborhoods, researchers estimate roughly 115 million people – more than a third of the US population – live in areas that could host the next fire catastrophe.

The understanding that many more Americans are at risk of losing their homes to wildfires comes as the climate crisis turns up the dial on extreme weather, drought and heat. But it’s also the result of new research that has exposed deep and dangerous gaps in our understanding of the threat.

“The risks are more extensive than people think,” said Joe H Scott, the chief fire scientist at the wildfire risk research firm Pyrologix. Recent tragedies have added to grim examples of what’s possible when the right conditions align.

There was Lahaina in 2023, when a firestorm killed 102 people and turned the historic Maui town into smoldering ruins. In 2021, powerful gusts drove flames through suburbs of Boulder, Colorado, as the Marshall fire became the most destructive in state history. And, in January, 30 people were killed and homes on all sides of Los Angeles were flattened when the fierce Santa Ana winds rained embers across neighborhoods." continued >

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/...cities-dangers

Cowabunga, dudes....

As goes California so goes the nation......

Your state and some others are just the forewarning a beginning of what will be the new normal. Climate change is upon US of A.

When I lived up some north of you it seemed to be two seasons.
Wet and dry....from what is remembered.

There are ways to build homes/businesses so that they don't easily burn. Cement/stone exteriors with cementboard soffits and tile roofing go a long way towards not having your home go up like those in the Pacific Palisades and Alta Dena.

We lost thousands of wonderful old wooden Craftsman homes last fall. What surprised me was the low death count. In Paradise, Ca. there were 84 deaths when the town went up. Down here it was only 30 dead. Hat's off to the emergency personnel who went above and beyond.

However, Bob, I have seen interviews with owners of such homes, which, while they did not burn, were rendered so irretrievably uninhabitable (and with no hope of remediation) that the poor folks wished they had.

Southeast of here in Pala, Ca. A brush fire is kicking off. Hope they keep it out of the hills and mountains. SDUT

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/us/br...9ee759d&ei=113

Hopefully their insurance will pay out. Under Herr Naranja Schweinesmeckle FEMA has been virtually shuttered so good luck getting any help from them.

Been living here for decades and there's never been any fire like the Palisades/Alta Dena wildfire. An unholy convergent of drought, blowtorched by an unusually strong Santa Ana wind event meant no air cover flying. We have many super scoopers and helicopters devoted to putting out fires before they get too big but there's no taking off in 60 - 80 nt.winds

The Madera fire up towards San Luis Obispo has grown to 110 sq. miles. :(