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| California fires: unprecedented extreme red flag warning issued for Los Angeles area – live | California fires: unprecedented extreme red flag warning issued for Los Angeles area – live |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| Investigators believe they know what caused the Getty fire: video shows a eucalyptus branch falling on a power line operated by the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power. | |
| As a reminder, the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power DOES NOT shut off power during heavy wind events like Pacific Gas & Electric and Southern California Edison. | |
| Officials downgraded a mandatory evacuation order issued to a small portion affected by the Kincade fire to just an evacuation warning. | |
| The National Weather Service issued a new warning today: the Extreme Red Flag Warning, for a high-wind event taking place in much of Los Angeles and Ventura counties through Thursday evening. | |
| Earlier today, the Los Angeles Times reported that investigators were looking at utility lines near where the Getty fire began as the possible cause of the blaze. | Earlier today, the Los Angeles Times reported that investigators were looking at utility lines near where the Getty fire began as the possible cause of the blaze. |
| Mayor Eric Garcetti announced that video shows a eucalyptus tree branch breaking and falling on a power line operated by the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, sparking the flames. | Mayor Eric Garcetti announced that video shows a eucalyptus tree branch breaking and falling on a power line operated by the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, sparking the flames. |
| The #GettyFire was likely caused by a tree branch that broke off during the high wind conditions and subsequently landed on nearby powerlines, which resulted in sparking that ignited nearby brush. #LAFD #LAPD #LADWP Details: https://t.co/8bBGPrDN54 pic.twitter.com/3yauqgBmdH | |
| As a reminder, the Department of Water and Power does not shut off power during high wind events because of its “location in a highly urbanized area with far fewer wildfire prone areas”. | As a reminder, the Department of Water and Power does not shut off power during high wind events because of its “location in a highly urbanized area with far fewer wildfire prone areas”. |
| Quick update from the Getty Museum in the midst of the Getty fire: | Quick update from the Getty Museum in the midst of the Getty fire: |
| Tuesday update: The #GettyCenter and #GettyVilla remain SAFE from the #GettyFire. Both sites will be CLOSED through Fri, Nov 1, to assist with emergency response and in consideration of high winds predicted to begin tonight. pic.twitter.com/zaDGcdZmL4 | Tuesday update: The #GettyCenter and #GettyVilla remain SAFE from the #GettyFire. Both sites will be CLOSED through Fri, Nov 1, to assist with emergency response and in consideration of high winds predicted to begin tonight. pic.twitter.com/zaDGcdZmL4 |
| Speaking of utility companies causing wildfires, the Los Angeles Times is reporting that Southern California Edison believes its equipment will likely be found at fault for causing the Woolsey fire in 2018: | Speaking of utility companies causing wildfires, the Los Angeles Times is reporting that Southern California Edison believes its equipment will likely be found at fault for causing the Woolsey fire in 2018: |
| “While SCE did not find evidence of downed electrical wires on the ground in the suspected area of origin, it observed a pole support wire in proximity to an electrical wire that was energized prior to the outage,” the utility wrote in its quarterly earnings report. “Whether the November 8, 2018, outage was related to contact being made between the support wire and the electrical wire has not been determined. SCE believes that its equipment could be found to have been associated with the ignition of the Woolsey Fire.” | “While SCE did not find evidence of downed electrical wires on the ground in the suspected area of origin, it observed a pole support wire in proximity to an electrical wire that was energized prior to the outage,” the utility wrote in its quarterly earnings report. “Whether the November 8, 2018, outage was related to contact being made between the support wire and the electrical wire has not been determined. SCE believes that its equipment could be found to have been associated with the ignition of the Woolsey Fire.” |
| The Woolsey fire killed three people and burned up nearly 97,000 acres. | The Woolsey fire killed three people and burned up nearly 97,000 acres. |
| A small portion of the area that was issued a mandatory evacuation order because of the Kincade fire has been downgraded to an evacuation warning. Good news, but doesn’t mean we’re in the clear yet. | A small portion of the area that was issued a mandatory evacuation order because of the Kincade fire has been downgraded to an evacuation warning. Good news, but doesn’t mean we’re in the clear yet. |
| #KincadeFire #CALFIRELNU #CALFIRE Repopulation Information. pic.twitter.com/yxd1ereb8G | #KincadeFire #CALFIRELNU #CALFIRE Repopulation Information. pic.twitter.com/yxd1ereb8G |
| The Getty fire forced the evacuation of NBA star LeBron James and his family when it broke out early Monday, and he clearly has not forgotten who is keeping his home safe: | The Getty fire forced the evacuation of NBA star LeBron James and his family when it broke out early Monday, and he clearly has not forgotten who is keeping his home safe: |
| Thank you, @KingJames, for generously sending a taco truck to support our @LAFD firefighters, first responders, and partner agencies working to fight the #GettyFire. pic.twitter.com/rgTSMgWXLU | Thank you, @KingJames, for generously sending a taco truck to support our @LAFD firefighters, first responders, and partner agencies working to fight the #GettyFire. pic.twitter.com/rgTSMgWXLU |
| Ah, time for my favorite Californian past time: dunking on clueless East Coast media trying to report on the best coast. | Ah, time for my favorite Californian past time: dunking on clueless East Coast media trying to report on the best coast. |
| Here is Time magazine with a video of firefighters facing “massive flames in San Francisco.” Except this is not San Francisco. We don’t actually know where this is. But as someone who lives in San Francisco and is currently working across the bay in Oakland, I can safely (literally and figuratively) tell you that this fiery hellscape of burning trees is NOT San Francisco. | Here is Time magazine with a video of firefighters facing “massive flames in San Francisco.” Except this is not San Francisco. We don’t actually know where this is. But as someone who lives in San Francisco and is currently working across the bay in Oakland, I can safely (literally and figuratively) tell you that this fiery hellscape of burning trees is NOT San Francisco. |
| As fires continue to ravage different parts of California, watch as firefighters face massive flames in San Francisco pic.twitter.com/lFjNOQiBqV | As fires continue to ravage different parts of California, watch as firefighters face massive flames in San Francisco pic.twitter.com/lFjNOQiBqV |
| If you look at the left-hand corner of the video, you’ll see where the mistake originated: video courtesy of San Francisco Firefighters 798’s Twitter feed. According to this engine’s account, they are battling the Kincade fire in the Sonoma county wine region of northern California. | If you look at the left-hand corner of the video, you’ll see where the mistake originated: video courtesy of San Francisco Firefighters 798’s Twitter feed. According to this engine’s account, they are battling the Kincade fire in the Sonoma county wine region of northern California. |
| Front windshield view of what our #Firefighters were faced with this morning (3am). We appreciate their complete dedication to the task of protecting lives and property. #KincadeFire @IAFFNewsDesk @team10th #nosleep #sffd #sffire #firelife #wildland pic.twitter.com/Dlpf9P8Zdl | Front windshield view of what our #Firefighters were faced with this morning (3am). We appreciate their complete dedication to the task of protecting lives and property. #KincadeFire @IAFFNewsDesk @team10th #nosleep #sffd #sffire #firelife #wildland pic.twitter.com/Dlpf9P8Zdl |
| In disasters like this, it’s not unusual for counties and state agencies to call in mutual aid from surrounding areas. That’s what the San Francisco firefighters are doing - providing mutual aid to their neighbors in the north - NOT battling a wildland fire in their own city. | In disasters like this, it’s not unusual for counties and state agencies to call in mutual aid from surrounding areas. That’s what the San Francisco firefighters are doing - providing mutual aid to their neighbors in the north - NOT battling a wildland fire in their own city. |
| The Los Angeles Times is reporting that investigators are examining utility lines near where the Getty fire began as the possible cause of the blaze. | The Los Angeles Times is reporting that investigators are examining utility lines near where the Getty fire began as the possible cause of the blaze. |
| As of now, it’s unclear which utility operates the power line. If you’ll recall, Pacific Gas & Electric, the state’s largest utility, has a history of sparking wildfires. However, so does Southern California Edison, which covers a lot of territory in southern California. | As of now, it’s unclear which utility operates the power line. If you’ll recall, Pacific Gas & Electric, the state’s largest utility, has a history of sparking wildfires. However, so does Southern California Edison, which covers a lot of territory in southern California. |
| This year, both utilities began shutting off power during wind events to prevent wildfires, but not the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power. | This year, both utilities began shutting off power during wind events to prevent wildfires, but not the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power. |
| “Due to our location in a highly urbanized area with far fewer wildfire prone areas, we do not face the same threat of wildfire as many of the rural counties located in other service areas served by the larger investor-owned utilities,” the utility wrote in a statement to the Los Angeles Times. “This is because our service area within the City of LA is highly urbanized with extensive fire suppression infrastructure in place and a Class 1 rated LA Fire Department. This is quite different than many of the remote or more rural areas served by investor-owned utilities such as PG&E and SCE.” | “Due to our location in a highly urbanized area with far fewer wildfire prone areas, we do not face the same threat of wildfire as many of the rural counties located in other service areas served by the larger investor-owned utilities,” the utility wrote in a statement to the Los Angeles Times. “This is because our service area within the City of LA is highly urbanized with extensive fire suppression infrastructure in place and a Class 1 rated LA Fire Department. This is quite different than many of the remote or more rural areas served by investor-owned utilities such as PG&E and SCE.” |
| Up north, firefighters battling the Kincade fire discovered what appeared to be a broken jumper by a PG&E transmission tower that had lost power. PG&E had shut off power to the area as part of planned shutoff, the transmission lines remained energized. While the cause of the Kincade fire is still under investigation, the utility has submitted a report to state regulators. | Up north, firefighters battling the Kincade fire discovered what appeared to be a broken jumper by a PG&E transmission tower that had lost power. PG&E had shut off power to the area as part of planned shutoff, the transmission lines remained energized. While the cause of the Kincade fire is still under investigation, the utility has submitted a report to state regulators. |
| PG&E also submitted a report regarding two fires that broke out in northeast of San Francisco on Sunday afternoon. Firefighters believed that contact betwen a power line and a communication line may have been the cause of the blaze that forced evacuations and burned down a tennis club, CNBC is reporting. At a second fire nearby, fire personnel were investigating the site of a fallen pole and transformer as a potential ignition source. | PG&E also submitted a report regarding two fires that broke out in northeast of San Francisco on Sunday afternoon. Firefighters believed that contact betwen a power line and a communication line may have been the cause of the blaze that forced evacuations and burned down a tennis club, CNBC is reporting. At a second fire nearby, fire personnel were investigating the site of a fallen pole and transformer as a potential ignition source. |
| It appears we’re heading into new vocabulary territory in California, folks. | It appears we’re heading into new vocabulary territory in California, folks. |
| We’ve been in Red Flag Warning weather throughout the state on and off these past few weeks, which means conditions are high for fire - low humidity, high temperatures, swift winds. | We’ve been in Red Flag Warning weather throughout the state on and off these past few weeks, which means conditions are high for fire - low humidity, high temperatures, swift winds. |
| The National Weather Service has now issued an Extreme Red Flag Warning for much of Los Angeles and Ventura counties, starting late Tuesday and into Thursday evening. | The National Weather Service has now issued an Extreme Red Flag Warning for much of Los Angeles and Ventura counties, starting late Tuesday and into Thursday evening. |
| I've never seen this language used before either. @NWSLosAngeles: is this the first issuance of an "Extreme Red Flag Warning?" This sounds similar to the upgraded "Emergency" version of Tornado and Flash Flood Warnings by @NWS during particularly dangerous events. #CAwx #CAfire https://t.co/PCVtx6JnOT | I've never seen this language used before either. @NWSLosAngeles: is this the first issuance of an "Extreme Red Flag Warning?" This sounds similar to the upgraded "Emergency" version of Tornado and Flash Flood Warnings by @NWS during particularly dangerous events. #CAwx #CAfire https://t.co/PCVtx6JnOT |
| From the National Weather Service: | From the National Weather Service: |
| A strong Santa Ana wind event is expected tonight through Thursday, and could be one of the strongest of recent memory. Damaging wind gusts between 50 and 70 mph are expected over most of Los Angeles and Ventura Counties, with isolated gusts to around 80 mph likely. Although the air is cold, humidities will lower to the single digits nearly everywhere by Wednesday or Thursday, and down to 1 or 2 percent in the driest windiest locations. Overnight recoveries Wednesday night will be near zero. This all adds up to an extreme fire weather threat. Use extreme caution with any potential ignition sources, and residents in high fire risk areas should be ready and set to evacuate if emergency officials say so. | A strong Santa Ana wind event is expected tonight through Thursday, and could be one of the strongest of recent memory. Damaging wind gusts between 50 and 70 mph are expected over most of Los Angeles and Ventura Counties, with isolated gusts to around 80 mph likely. Although the air is cold, humidities will lower to the single digits nearly everywhere by Wednesday or Thursday, and down to 1 or 2 percent in the driest windiest locations. Overnight recoveries Wednesday night will be near zero. This all adds up to an extreme fire weather threat. Use extreme caution with any potential ignition sources, and residents in high fire risk areas should be ready and set to evacuate if emergency officials say so. |
| So, if you’re just tuning into our hellish Californian reality, a whole lot of people are very peeved at Pacific Gas & Electric. The country’s largest utility is behind the massive power shutoffs happening across the state - in part because PG&E has a history of sparking deadly wildfires. | So, if you’re just tuning into our hellish Californian reality, a whole lot of people are very peeved at Pacific Gas & Electric. The country’s largest utility is behind the massive power shutoffs happening across the state - in part because PG&E has a history of sparking deadly wildfires. |
| There are many reasons why people are mad at PG&E. Corporate greed! Death and destruction! Massive blackouts that disproportionately affect the medically vulnerable and low-income! There are also people who support these power shutoffs and are willing to do whatever it takes to prevent more deadly wildfires. But in these power shutoffs, one of PG&E’s most egregious failures has been the utility’s ability to communicate. | There are many reasons why people are mad at PG&E. Corporate greed! Death and destruction! Massive blackouts that disproportionately affect the medically vulnerable and low-income! There are also people who support these power shutoffs and are willing to do whatever it takes to prevent more deadly wildfires. But in these power shutoffs, one of PG&E’s most egregious failures has been the utility’s ability to communicate. |
| Robotext from Fairfax Police: "Power still out. NO word from PG&E if Fairfax is are [sic] part of today's PSPS but the assumption is we are." This is like a whole sizable California town that doesn't know what is happening with its power because the power company won't say. | Robotext from Fairfax Police: "Power still out. NO word from PG&E if Fairfax is are [sic] part of today's PSPS but the assumption is we are." This is like a whole sizable California town that doesn't know what is happening with its power because the power company won't say. |
| I’ve talked to people caught completely by surprise when the power went out because they kept getting conflicting messages from the utility and from authorities. The utility would send out alerts to prepare for possible shutoffs, and then the power would go off without official word. Some people would check the power shutoff map and see that they were in the affected zone - but then when the time came, they wouldn’t lose power. Then the next time they got an alert to prepare for a possible shutoff, they wouldn’t, to their detriment. | I’ve talked to people caught completely by surprise when the power went out because they kept getting conflicting messages from the utility and from authorities. The utility would send out alerts to prepare for possible shutoffs, and then the power would go off without official word. Some people would check the power shutoff map and see that they were in the affected zone - but then when the time came, they wouldn’t lose power. Then the next time they got an alert to prepare for a possible shutoff, they wouldn’t, to their detriment. |
| And then PG&E’s website and power outage maps kept crashing during the first two major power shutoffs. | And then PG&E’s website and power outage maps kept crashing during the first two major power shutoffs. |
| Keep in mind it takes a lot of time and energy to prepare for a possible shutoff. You have to make sure you have the resources to get you through the blackout period. You have to take care of your perishable items for when your refridgerator and freezer goes down. You have to remember to charge your electronics ahead of time, get your car out of the garage, make sure you have enough water if your water pump runs on electricity. Some have to plan a different way to get to work. And if you’re medically fragile, you have even more work to do. | Keep in mind it takes a lot of time and energy to prepare for a possible shutoff. You have to make sure you have the resources to get you through the blackout period. You have to take care of your perishable items for when your refridgerator and freezer goes down. You have to remember to charge your electronics ahead of time, get your car out of the garage, make sure you have enough water if your water pump runs on electricity. Some have to plan a different way to get to work. And if you’re medically fragile, you have even more work to do. |
| So all these starts and stops for possible shutoffs are more than just minor inconveniences. In this day and age, electricity is no longer a luxury - it’s part of our daily lives. Going without it - and planning when and how to go without it - is tough. Bad communication from the utility responsible for it makes it all the worse. | So all these starts and stops for possible shutoffs are more than just minor inconveniences. In this day and age, electricity is no longer a luxury - it’s part of our daily lives. Going without it - and planning when and how to go without it - is tough. Bad communication from the utility responsible for it makes it all the worse. |
| Hey all, Vivian Ho taking over for Sam Levin. | Hey all, Vivian Ho taking over for Sam Levin. |
| It appears that power still has not been regained at Salinas Valley State Prison, according to the Sacramento Bee. And since power has been out since Saturday, conditions has become rough for inmates. | It appears that power still has not been regained at Salinas Valley State Prison, according to the Sacramento Bee. And since power has been out since Saturday, conditions has become rough for inmates. |
| Here is what I am hearing in Salinas: Inmates are stuck in their cells during power outage, no yard time or day room (at least in parts of the prison). https://t.co/Jq9MXSK2vX | Here is what I am hearing in Salinas: Inmates are stuck in their cells during power outage, no yard time or day room (at least in parts of the prison). https://t.co/Jq9MXSK2vX |
| Toilets require electricity to flush properly. Guards are intermittently passing out water in bottles or buckets so that they can refill the water and get a single flush in, but it isn't happening that often | Toilets require electricity to flush properly. Guards are intermittently passing out water in bottles or buckets so that they can refill the water and get a single flush in, but it isn't happening that often |
| When the sun goes down, which is around 6 right now, inmates are in the dark until the sun comes up again, roughly 10-12 hours later. | When the sun goes down, which is around 6 right now, inmates are in the dark until the sun comes up again, roughly 10-12 hours later. |
| Also weekend visits were cancelled last week. Notice was given around 730 AM, after some family members were already lined up outside | Also weekend visits were cancelled last week. Notice was given around 730 AM, after some family members were already lined up outside |
| People who have jobs in the prison, like cooks, aren't being let out of their cells, so there is a (so far) unanswered question about how breakfast and dinner are getting made/delivered. Sandwiches are being passed out into cells for lunch. | People who have jobs in the prison, like cooks, aren't being let out of their cells, so there is a (so far) unanswered question about how breakfast and dinner are getting made/delivered. Sandwiches are being passed out into cells for lunch. |
| Also, it's about to be freezing for at least a day, apparently | Also, it's about to be freezing for at least a day, apparently |