LA Firestorm documentary

grumpy grizzly

grumpy grizzly

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Jun 27, 2007
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Sunday, 2/1, Reel Channel HD, will show a 3-part, 3 hour documentary on the LA firestorm. This is Channel 238 on Direct TV. I believe there are other options as well.
 
When will the good people of greater Los Angles, and other areas, wake up and see that the problem is with the state and city officials who failed to plan and react to a well expected dry and windy fire danger. I have studied Conflagrations since my time in Fire Science in college, including the ongoing fire problems in Urban/Rural Interface areas., and it is sad that people even try to rebuild the same way they did in the past.
Captain Bob Rainey FDNY Engine 26 retired.
 
That documentary was tough to watch. I lasted about an hour. It did have great video which put you right in middle of desperate people, in way over their heads, looking for help that was never going to come.

My brother lives in LA (three doors down from the Garcia House of Lethal Weapon 2 fame). I was talking to him that evening when suddenly the line went dead. After a moment, he got back on the line. He'd gotten an automated message ordering him to leave his house NOW. In LA it's not a suggestion, It's against the law not to evacuate. It was for a fire above Sunset Strip. He was uphill, but also upwind, and it was quickly contained
 
A real estate developer whose home burned down in the Pacific Palisades in January, 2025 has rebuilt on his burned out address. It is a four bedroom, 4,200 square foot two story home. He has made it as fire resistive as possible.

1) The frame uses structural steel.

2) Walls are 12 inches thick and employ stone, magnesium oxide, and sulfate boards with gypsum panels. This composite reportedly has a six hour flame resistance.

3) Sprinklers are both inside and outside (including the roof) with a dedicated water and power supply.

4) Fire detection sensors use satellites, heat, and AI directed cameras.

5) Exterior windows are made of borosilicate glass used in high-end cookware.

6) Each window has metal shutters which can be operated remotely.

This all cost about $775/square foot. For comparison, today's gaudy, overbuilt fire houses go for $200-$500/square foot.

Home insurance for this property in the Palisades usually cost over $7,000 per month. With these features, the policy cost "only' $1,000 a month.
 
I wrote a Therese's on Conflagrations in College on. Conflagrations were and still is a real danger in so many ways in many areas of the nation. Our brother and sister firefighters in many places including here in the East must be aware of this danger. Just take a look at the Belflower Disaster in Boston years ago and the Hurricane Sandy Conflagration in Breezy Point, Rockaway, Queens. We have the answers to this problem, "Building Codes" that truly give protection from building-to-building fire spread. To the individual home the ideas above are truly innovative and have real merit. The very real danger of 4 & 5 story, or more wood buildings is a disaster waiting to happen again. Thank you "entropychaser" for your entry above. Captain Bob Rainey FDNY Engine 26 retired
 
California is finally refining a response to the wildfire problem that is requiring involvement of homeowners; who have the most to lose.

This involves the concept of spaces around the homes Three zones around the house are defined as Zone 0 (0 to 5 ft,), Zone 1 (5 to 30 ft.), and Zone 2 (30 to 100 ft.).

According to a study by the Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety showed that 60% to 90% of structure fires were started by wind driven embers rather than direct flame impingement. It's easy to see how burning plants next to the house would extend rapidly vertically through the soffit vents. A Zone 0 Mandate is probably going to happen in targeted areas, particularly around Los Angeles.

 
For years the firefighters and fire officers, in Urban Interface/Bruse exposure areas have advocated for defensible space of brush and plant removal. Laws are in place in many areas, including parts of California to control both brush/plant life removal and require noncombustible building exteriors to inhibit fire spread from building to building. The problem is these laws are not effectively enforced. The Number one job of any government is to keep its citizens safe, and the politicians seem to have OTHER priorities. When major fires ="Conflagrations" over 100 years ago destroyed Chicago, New York, Boston and many other cities changes were made. When are the powers that be in many areas going to wake up. We know the answers that will help to control these fires more effectively. We cannot just blame "Global Warming" for the vast increase in major fires and conflagrations we must take the knowledge we already have and us it. Captain Bob Rainey FDNY Engine 26 retired
 
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