View Full Version : California Wildfires
All you hear about are the "celebrities" but from what I've read a lot of people have lost or are going to lose their homes along the West Coast of CA. Many do not have ins. They can afford it but can't find coverage. The ins companies dropped most of them from previous fires, mud slides, flooding and all that other good stuff.
Many of these homes have about a 10' strip of yard around them so those with many cars have the area stuffed and crowded. The fire trucks are having trouble getting around them.
A lot of these non-celebrities are no doubt decent people who can't get ins and can't sell their homes because of that. Who wants to buy an expensive home that can't be insured and what mort co would give a loan on one?
The larger blazes are creating fire storms much like the incendiary bombing of of Tokyo in 1945. The storms can sweep a football field size of property in a second.
Seems like there's always something going on over there and never good whether it's the weather, politics or inflation.
Well, Newsom is MIA, the LA Mayor is in Africa, and she cut fy 24-25 fire dept budget by $20 million.
With all the cheap labor in CA, they can do what Biden said "build back better".
I think these fires were set on purpose. Most of the people reporting are unaware that this is the time of year for the Santa Anna winds. Now they are just saying "high winds".
I'm not insensitive to what's going on, but the people got what they voted for. This will be forgotten in 6 mo. and unless the people change their liberal mind set and get rid of the current 'ruling class" in CA, it will happen again.
Oh, I agree but some good people are paying the price too. Mainly the fire fighters right now.
All fingers are pointing toward Newsom for lack of fire management. This is something Trump preached years ago. The left are quick to say "climate change".
Any type disaster is bad. Some, like this are made so much worse by people living on top of one another. It's happening here too--everywhere (in the cities) there is a tiny patch of vacant land not much wider than a driveway, someone builds a house.
When they get around to requesting federal aid, let's give them $750 just like the east coast people that were devastated by the hurricanes because the money set aside for disaster relief was illegaly redirected to housing illegals. We can't take care of our own, but we can spend millions in a European war that should never have happened.
"You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come."
When they get around to requesting federal aid, let's give them $750 just like the east coast people that were devastated by the hurricanes because the money set aside for disaster relief was illegaly redirected to housing illegals. We can't take care of our own, but we can spend millions in a European war that should never have happened.
"You will hear of wars and rumors of wars, but see to it that you are not alarmed. Such things must happen, but the end is still to come."
+1 on the 750
Many of the illegals live on the West Coast so if FEMA steps in they will probably get more $ than the homeowners.
Now there are 7 fires..."they" are making good on their promise if Trump was elected. 5 people are dead, so far, penalty should be for man 1 max, no parole.
Mark in Ottawa
01-09-2025, 04:12
The photos look like the photos of Berlin in 1945. Block after block of rubble.
I have a cousin who lives there but so far his home is still intact. He says that his children and grandchildren have been evacuated but has no info on whether their home still exists.
I may be naive but given that these brush fires seem to happen with some frequency, one would think that the municipality and state could have taken some preventive steps such as significant brush clearing, the cutting of fire breaks in forested areas and the construction of water towers and distribution systems for ensuring a supply of water in critical areas. Not sure if spray or sprinkler systems would work in a large area but perhaps they might be feasible near residential areas
Phloating Phlasher
01-09-2025, 05:47
Its not exactly like "California Wildfires" are a new, surprising, or unknown issue.
So, If i had a pole, knowing there was a good chance of a raging wildfire in the next year, or so, can I interest you in a luxury (wooden) log cabin in the area?
1:Take my money PLEASE!
2: Highly likely?
3: Moderately likely?
4: Neutral?
5: Somwhat unlikely?
6: Highly unlikely?
7: Absolutely not?
8: Are you freaking kidding? The place burns down to bedrock every few years!
I may be naive but given that these brush fires seem to happen with some frequency, one would think that the municipality and state could have taken some preventive steps such as significant brush clearing, the cutting of fire breaks in forested areas and the construction of water towers and distribution systems for ensuring a supply of water in critical areas. Not sure if spray or sprinkler systems would work in a large area but perhaps they might be feasible near residential areas
That's part of the "fire management" that Trump keeps referring to that Newsom wouldn't do.
I have a cousin who lives there but so far his home is still intact. He says that his children and grandchildren have been evacuated but has no info on whether their home still exists.
These are the types I have sympathy for. While these fires are no worse that a major hurricane a lot of these residents are between a rock and a hard place by not being able to sell out and move because their houses can't be insured. Meanwhile property values are skyrocketing to where they are having to pay outrageous taxes. What good is a $2M home if the expenses are crippling and you can't sell it? Also, not all residents voted for nor support the current administration. Does a vote in CA really mean anything?
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The photos look like the photos of Berlin in 1945. Block after block of rubble.
I had the exact same thoughts.
Now, an earthquake where the fires are.
Is God trying to tell them something ????
If so, NYC will be next.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-14271619/California-San-Francisco-Bay-Area-earthquake-deadly-wildfires.html
For those who had their insurance dropped, the very rich can simply rebuild and pay for it. The majority may not be able to rebuild and won't be able to secure a mortgage. Those who had ins will probably not get replacement value and all the ins companies will probably balk at paying much of anything. As always, everyone's ins rates will go up across the country.
There will be plenty of lawsuits coming up I feel.
I read an article about this woman who lived in a huge trailer park near Malibu who stated that replacing her house (trailer) wouldn't be a big deal, but would miss all the irreplaceable items she lost.
This may not be the case. I will be very surprised if a lot of zoning and new regulations aren't established after this like building houses with flame retardant material, spaces between houses being greater, no trailers, limited number of cars allowed in some areas, etc...
During one of our yearly nearby hurricanes a tsunami wiped out houses for several blocks inland near the Gulf of Mexico. After that new regulations prohibited rebuilding unless the houses were on pilings or somehow raised to certain higher levels. Some of these homes could have been saved but had to be leveled due to the new restrictions. I see similar things happening in CA especially due to ins company demands.
Anytime residents are evacuated looters move in for the kill.
We see a lot of it here though the news media keeps it quiet.
Now in CA some of the looters are dressed as firemen so no one would say anything if they were noticed. If caught stealing they could always come up with something like "trying to protect it" or "sending this to the owners so it won't be looted".
This is one thing that keeps people from leaving their homes plus they can't return to them for days afterward for all the debris, downed power lines on the roads.
If any of you have a travel trailer or RV you want to sell now would be a good time if you can take it to CA. I believe these are going to be very sought after if people can find a place to park them.
Those who lost their homes, can't change jobs or move may be in for a long wait till they can re-build. Regulations may/should change, waits for permits, etc. With all the homes being rebuilt and repaired already in FL, AL, TN, SC and NC due to the past hurricanes building supplies and licensed builders will be scarce.
More homeless for CA.
JohnMOhio
01-18-2025, 08:54
The latest info I heard regarding the insurance companies that pulled out of Cal. The state denied them the premium rate increase. Also I might add, each states insurance rates are dependent upon the losses within that state. Losses in California do not reflect the price of coverage in Kansas or any other state. Note that within their rate structure, included is the prevailing cost of materials and labor costs. I am sure your local rates are not as high as the coastal cities if you live for instance middle USA when it comes to hurricanes. However, you do have a risk of a Tornado. Equal amount of damage, not likely. Just some things to ponder as you see your insurance bill each month or yearly renewal if you pay it annually.
Another way of raising rates is to disguise it in the form of reduced coverage and denied claims as I mentioned here in the past from my own experiences. As far as raising everyone's rates across the board the ins companies use the liberal term of "climate change" instead of preventable measures and politics as being the real problems thus they raise everyone's rates.
https://www.marketwatch.com/story/extreme-weather-like-california-wildfires-has-increased-homeowner-insurance-costs-now-we-know-how-much-extra-theyre-paying-f6f06385?mod=djem_mwnpfinance
JohnMOhio
01-19-2025, 06:28
Please remember that the insurance policy you purchase is a Contract. If a coverage is denied, it is because it was not in the policy. It could have been by endorsement. I ask each of you, when was the last time or any time that you read your policy along with any endorsements. If you had questions, did your agent give you an answer that you understood. Did you change insurance companies or agents to get a lower premium? In most instances if the premium was lower, you lost some coverage or coverages. READ YOUR POLICY. ASK QUESTIONS. Your agent is supposed to work for you. A good agent will tell you what you need to hear, not what you want to hear.
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