LA has No Water

@UNIMAN

 The issue wasn't with lack of experienced personal. Ths issues were lack of water pressure do to an overloaded system. The issue was with high winds that both aided with the spread of fire and prevented air support, which is absolutely necessary for combating these types of fire. Combustible material? Nature is nature. People choose to live is such places because of said "combustible material. Much of said, "combustible material" is private property. If people wanted to live surrounded by concrete, they would like in urban environments. Wooden power poles weren't  a factor is what this fire became. Insurance companies are in the business of not paying and them canceling policies and refusing to issue bew policies has nothing to do with legislative policy and everything to do with protecting profits. Every fire station is "an emergency stand by team". That is literally the job. This fire getting out of hand had everything to fo with atrong winds and nothing do do wity preparedness.

@soup-can

There is a perpetual shortage of firemen. It's no different that police shortages, truck drivers, plumbers, etc. Frankly, there just aren't enough young men going into these professions. Covid vaccination probably had an effect on ataffing shortages but definitely wasn't the end all be all. As you said, there were shortages long before covid.

And frankly, and major city, New york has barely over 1 fire fighter per 1,000. Boston has about  .7 per 1,000. As you scale up, it's unrealistic to have 2.5 fire fighters per 1,000. It's wishful thinking.

Stu, do you think the state would benefit being split?  not into 6 or even 3 like previously tried.  just a north south split and use the southern county line of Monterey and maybe throw Inyo, Mono, and maybe Alpine in the southern state.  Had to look at a map for that

I am a big backer for NY to cut loose NYC.  Two states in this situation would function better than as one.  Not saying the fire reaction would've changed any but just on a functioning state government it seems more logical.  Does Newsome function out of Sactown up north?   Here in NY when Cuomo was in he was mainly down in NYC, in Westchester Co.  Now Gov Hochul is mostly out by Buffalo, there is a Gov mansion in Albany but never stay there its crazy but a big state.  So I can only imagine Cali with so much area is probably the same way.  Hard to be on top of states that are so big

No. I think it would benefit from this "mass exodus" I keep hearing about that doesn't exist. From a pure water standpoint, it would benefit from overhauling carte blanch water rights. The state would definite benefit from increased border security, and that I 100% blame on failed democratic policy. There are two many people in LA. And the belief they live in Utopia when the reality is they live in a semi-arid chaparral region teetering towards full on arid desert status. Frankly though, purely on the subject of water, the issue is with huge agricultural operations and companies like Nestle who own massive water rights for the purpose of bottling. As Californians (I consider myself an Oregonian now but I still have a place in Cali and split time here. I'm in Cali as I type this). As Californians, we knew 20 years ago that ultra thirsty almond trees were a drain on water resources. Growers have responded by planting MORE almonds, 80-90% of which are shipped to China. The Saudis have massive water rights in California as well. These are issues that splitting the state won't help.

One thing for sure ,,California does generate lot of nuts ..it leads the nation in producing them...

Totally disagree with all of this. Had everything to do with preparedness. Clearing burn lines a big help. 

They were too late!

https://www.cnn.com/2025/01/14/us/la-fire-department-resourses-understaffed-invs/index.html

Despite being located in one of the most fire-prone areas in the country, the LAFD has less than one firefighter for every 1,000 residents. That compares to cities such as Chicago, Dallas and Houston, where staffing is closer to two firefighters for the same number of residents. Of the largest cities, only San Diego has fewer firefighters per capita.

Most significantly, the state’s regulatory model keeps prices artificially low and does not allow insurance companies to get rate increases approved quickly enough, according to Rex Frazier, president of the Personal Insurance Federation of California, an industry lobbying group. 

So Newsome is pushing no property sale crap, he is worried about a mass exodus.  Man I am old, there was a metal band Exodus , you know what a smart real estate investor would do right now in Palisades???  Build 4/6/8 unit townhouses on the same plot that a non tom hanks home stood.  Bigger, then put up four 12 units.  The place has been leveled and with all the lithium from the electric cars it's just short of a superfund site.  There is no insurance so build concrete units, it's not like the gazillionaires don't have the capital.  It will take years to come back from this tho, when your house burns down you can still live, whole zip codes burned to ash so it just sucks

WOMP WOMP 

When did IO get the boot?!!lmao 

They attract them too!

Officials said an LAPD patrol unit was driving through the Palisades Fire area with fire personnel and noticed a fire truck that did not appear to be legitimate. Upon approaching the truck, officials said deputies noticed that both suspects were wearing turnout gear. The occupants claimed to be from the "Roaring River Fire Department" in Oregon. However, deputies learned that the department was not legitimate, and the truck was purchased at an auction. 

Dustin Nehl, 31, and Jennifer Nehl, 44, were arrested for Impersonating a Firefighter and entering an evacuation zone. Authorities uncovered that Dustin Nehl has a criminal history in Oregon, including criminal mischief and arson. 

Interesting; https://x.com/WallStreetApes/status/1881033029382193613