California Fires?

Question

In relation to the current fires in California, why do they keep saying it is a bad fire season? They are started by arson not nature!

Also, how come each year when the fires come through, they lose so many homes? Here in Australia we have just as bad fires if not worse than California yet we will only lose 6 houses at the most each fire season. Why don’t they seem to be doing a successful fire fighting job there yet they have more fire fighters than Australia? Why aren’t they getting it right? Don’t blame it on the Santa Ana winds as we have strong, dry winds in Australia also. Don’t blame it on the dry leaf litter, we have that too. Why are their efforts not as successful as ours??

Answer 1

No, you do not have Santa Ana strength winds... not in Australia. Your winds do not compare. Also the terrain is different. There are canyons in California that create an updraft.. you don't have that either. Check the terrain out on the net.
Want to pit our firemen against yours...bring them over and let's see what they can do .

Answer 2

I am with everyone else! You don't live in So Cal, so just shut up!

The Santa Ana winds are hurricane force at times and they whip through the canyons, making it very difficult to fight a fire.

You really should look up the topography of our region before you act like you know so much. If your firefighters are so great, then why haven't any of them jumped on a plane to fly to the CA to help. The fires have been going on since early Sunday morning. There has been plenty of time for them to get here and provide their superior services!

BTW~ the Orange County fire is the only one to be determined was arson and one other fire is believed to be arson, the rest are because of accidents, like down power lines or car fires or mother nature.

I am so glad you think Australia is so great and you are unimpressed by our firefighters, hopefully you will never move here. One less person in our paradise (at least when the smoke clears)! We love the fact that we can go surfing on Christmas.

Answer 3

I agree with what everyone else is saying - comparing Australia and CA is like comparing apples and oranges. The terrain is totally different and only one of the fires is confirmed arson so check your facts before you speak. The houses here are nestled into terrain that is difficult to defend and they are really close together. Also, the Santa Anas are hurricane force winds that are completely void of moisture, and if you know anything about fire science, you would know that in the steep terrain, the weather that the fire creates is 10x worse. And, you do not have the tinder dry conditions that we have here.

Answer 4

First of all, If you don't live in San Diego then don't say it started by arson b/c you obviously don't know about a little thing called "SANTA ANA WINDS" look it up. When you say that is almost if not worse than here, wow.buddy ,c'mon. the 2003 fires were started by arson but also DESTROYED OVER 3200 HOMES!!!. thats WILDFIRES. When the santa ana winds blow in late october oh whoaa are they strong, not only are they strong but dry. Once they pick up the cause powerlines to fall and spark fires. Once the fire starts getting out of control then the embers from those start new fires due to the dry strong winds which easily pick the embers up and carry them. When you say that why aren't they doing a better job over here? then shoot are you delusional. Why don't you get your fancy aussie ass over here and battle the 30+ foot flames with heavy armor and temps of 100F+ NOT only that but due to the topography of san diego county it makes it nearly impossible for firefighters to go down or up the canyons to battle them. HEAVY SMOKE block the planes which cause delays and lead to more fires erupting. AND THE MOST IMPORTANT FACTOR IN THIS FIRESEASON IN THE DROUGHT. SAN DIEGO THIS YEAR ALONE IS THE MOST DRYEST YEAR IN 130 YEARS(EVER SINCE RECORD KEEPING WERE WRITTEN). SO B/F YOU GO OFF CRITICIZING OUR HEROES TAKE THIS INTO HAND . CALIFORNIA HAS IF NOT THE MOST SKILLED FIREFIGHTER IN THE NATION.!!!!

Answer 5

I stay here in la and im sixteen. What ive heard its in basic terms at maximum 10 % contained. And its approximately 350 acres burned greater often than not in the woods yet ive heard approximately 750+ residences have additionally burned down. and likewise might no longer be a area of the question yet at 12:00 pm lunch time at my college the sky became orange and smelled like burnt wood and ashes have been faliing from the sky no longer alot yet like a drizzle of it. Its relatively undesirable!

Answer 6

Hoser. Gonna tell a story tell it correctly. Fires were started by downed power lines and a car fire in LA County. The fire in Orange County was started by an arsonist who probably wanted to masturbate while watching the flames grow.

If you don't live here, and don't understand the dynamics; do us all a favor and stay quiet.

Answer 7

I think another reason more homes are lost is because California has over 34 million people in one state. Australia has 20 Million in one big county it's more spread out.

Answer 8

CA is a lot more densely populated than Australia.

Answer 9

Because Australians are such talented fire-fighters.....give yourselves a big pat on the back.

People have lost their homes and some have lost their livelihoods.....and you're having a pissing contest....come on.

Answer 10

It was an act of god, natural disaster, like hurricane, typhoon, earthquake, sunami...millions of people died when sunami hit asian countries, isn't it Austalia is the smallest continent, don't compare your country to america estupido, idiot