Fire Info

Submitted by Rich Toscano on October 22, 2007 - 3:05pm

Hi everyone -- if anyone is looking for info on the fires, there are a couple active forum threads on the topic:

Jim the Realtor is posting updates, and on his site I learned of another good source with lots of photos and maps. The UT has been blogging about it but their server seems to be having trouble with the loads.

Finally, I'm not sure how up to date or accurate they are, but many people have been tracking fires and evacuations at Google Maps -- here is a really good example as of 3PM (click the image to jump to the map itself):

Good luck to everyone.

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I want to add one comment.
Submitted by ucodegen on October 22, 2007 - 5:18pm.

I want to add one comment. If you evacuate, close your damn windows!! The firefighters have enough problems without an evacuee giving easy access to an ember!

See the video here, and look at the house on the left. Looks like the right window is open... Look at time index 1.11

http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/us/2007...

You may have to hit the field on the right that says "Firefighters face challenges". CNN really makes it difficult to reference their video.. they really want your Email address!!

Good Job. This is better
Submitted by LostCat on October 23, 2007 - 2:07pm.

Good Job. This is better than any news station or website.

Can you draw any parrallels
Submitted by Track Legs on October 24, 2007 - 10:36am.

Can you draw any parrallels with how home sales or county sales tax reciepts changed after the Cedar Fires to this recent fire disaster?

I heard sales tax revenue dropped off after the Cedar Fires.

It would also stand to reason that home sales in affected neighborhoods would drop. After-all, who wants to buy next to a pile of rubble. Right?

Graham Sorry to hear about
Submitted by gdcox on October 25, 2007 - 7:03pm.

Graham
Sorry to hear about the crisis you guys are having .

Could someone explain a conundrum to onlookers; especially those like me on the other side of the globe.

Given that fire is prevalent problem in the area and seasonal high winds set homes on fire just from embers , why do people build in wood externally. Why are houses not inorganic tiles on top and brick or stone externally? Why do insurers insure wooden houses in the area; at least at normal rates. Should not all the rebuilds be forest fire proof in their method of external construction?

Why are houses not inorganic
Submitted by ucodegen on October 26, 2007 - 10:33pm.

Why are houses not inorganic tiles on top and brick or stone externally?

Many of the tile topped ones were burning.. the build is of wood because of earthquakes. Brick/stone does not hold up well to a shaker..

Some people were leaving windows open when leaving. The embers also get into the attic through vents and into garages through gaps in the garage door.