Fire watch

Post by **adam2** » 12 Oct 2017, 10:36

Another report here
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-41592594

Death toll now said to be about 24, with many more missing.

Some pictures of the destruction in suburbia suggest that the main fuel source is not natural vegetation but houses and cars.
It seems that fire spread from one house to another, aided by vehicles and the fuel therein, and that trees and other vegetation survived.

The true wildfire in open country is no doubt made more likely or more extensive by hotter and dryer conditions resulting from climate change, however once the fire reaches suburbia it seems more akin to historic urban fires such as the great fires of London or Chicago.

Fire resisting construction and better provision of fire fighting equipment and water would help a lot.

Post by **kenneal - lagger** » 12 Oct 2017, 14:15

If they will build massive houses of largely wood on small plots and park huge gas guzzling cars and trucks next to them what do they expect? They are an inferno waiting to happen all across the US whether the ignition source is a natural wildfire or someone going to sleep and leaving a candle or cigarette burning.

raspberry-blower · Post by **raspberry-blower** » 13 Oct 2017, 11:27

New York Times: Communities raised to ash: Drone footage

With so many Americans living paycheck-to-paycheck i wonder just how much of this will end up being rebuilt.

Were all of these properties insured? This, along with the inundation of Houston and Florida could prove to be a black swan event for the insurance companies

emordnilap · Post by **emordnilap** » 13 Oct 2017, 11:42

raspberry-blower wrote:Were all of these properties insured?

The past was on the 'phone just now and said, "Probably not".

Fire insurance in a fire risk zone? Flood insurance in a flood risk zone? Have a nice day. Insurance companies are generally more canny than to risk their profits in such places.

Post by **kenneal - lagger** » 13 Oct 2017, 11:48

Insurance companies are well aware of the risks posed by climate change and, if they haven't removed the risk, have it well insured themselves. I suppose that in that case someone, somewhere, Swissre for instance, must pay out in the end.

Post by **adam2** » 15 Oct 2017, 14:31

The California fires continue to spread, with at least 40 lives known to be lost and many more persons said to be missing.

It seems to me that both fire prevention before the fire, and fire fighting resources afterwards were insufficient.

raspberry-blower · Post by **raspberry-blower** » 16 Oct 2017, 21:15

Fires have returned to Spain and Portugal

Guardian: At least 30 dead as Ophelia fans wildfires in Spain and Portugal

BritDownUnder · Post by **BritDownUnder** » 17 Oct 2017, 06:19

kenneal - lagger wrote:Insurance companies are well aware of the risks posed by climate change and, if they haven't removed the risk, have it well insured themselves. I suppose that in that case someone, somewhere, Swissre for instance, must pay out in the end.

I always thought that Lloyd's names were the insurer of last resort? However I think all the bad historic debts are now in a company called "Equitas".

Post by **kenneal - lagger** » 17 Oct 2017, 09:44

Lloyds might be one of them but there are a number of companies that specialise in reinsurance.

raspberry-blower · Post by **raspberry-blower** » 07 Dec 2017, 20:11

More forest fires - this time around LA

Business Insider: Ventura County fire: People share footage of fiery landscape hell around Los Angeles

Post by **adam2** » 11 Dec 2017, 09:56

California fires said to be "the new normal" by a state governor.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-42297370

With climate change prohibited, the situation seems to have progressed from natural variability on to the "wrath of god"

RenewableCandy · Post by **RenewableCandy** » 11 Dec 2017, 23:59

Apparently Murdoch's house is in the line of fire...

Dear Mr schadenfreude...

Post by **kenneal - lagger** » 12 Dec 2017, 00:30

RenewableCandy wrote:Apparently Murdoch's house is in the line of fire...

Dear Mr schadenfreude...

I'll keep my fingers crossed.

Radnice · Post by **Radnice** » 21 Dec 2017, 12:29

oh my...this fire season has been horrible in many places across the globe. It is saddening to see that we haven't been able to come up with a quick solution how to divert them or put down before they reach such a horrific dimension!

Post by **kenneal - lagger** » 21 Dec 2017, 13:54

It just goes to show that in many ways nature still has the upper hand over us. Only by expending massive amounts of energy can we outdo nature and even then we cannot do better than nature for short term expenditure without destroying the earth with nuclear explosions. Our influence over the climate has only taken place by nearly a century of energy expenditure while nature can whip up a storm, which we can do nothing against, in a matter of days.

And welcome Radnice.