“The fires were spread by “ultra-strong winds — which was double the strength of a normal Santa Ana — they come off those mountains and become urban conflagrations, and they have a lot more burning characteristic similarity with the Dresden firebombing” www.latimes.com/california/s...

After the fire a Palisades resident shared this terrifying photo showing how structure to structure ignition leveled their entire neighborhood. Each wood frame home blasting its downwind neighbor with a tanker truck worth of fuel.

“once one house starts burning, the radiant heat will ignite neighboring homes and trigger out-of-control structure-to-structure combustion” My Palisades friends planning to rebuild always appreciate this reminder, especially knowing that ignition rate remains high even after these measures.

More great LA Times reporting by @nohaggerty.bsky.social. “Some ecologists question whether breaks even help in ember-driven fires” because firebreaks have been breached repeatedly in previous high wind fires. At 12:30pm firefighters just pissing in the wind as embers spotted 2-3 miles ahead.

@nohaggerty.bsky.social's LA Times article about wildfire evacuation challenges reminded me how indispensable my e-bike was in the Palisades fire.

a 1600 sf ranch is burned down and replaced with a 4-bedroom, 4.5 bathroom mcmansion replicating what was there - but larger and more expensive - and recreating conditions that led to the wildfire loss in the first place. we never learn. www.latimes.com/california/s...

www.latimes.com/environment/... My periodic reminders: -Fire hoses not much help in 30mph+ winds. -Water systems rapidly depressurize as homes ignite. Remote water meter shutoff valves could improve water system resilience as some CO cities now require, but they come with many caveats.

Excellent reporting on the challenge of implementing the state's Zone Zero law by @nohaggerty.bsky.social. A exceptionally thorny political knot, complicated by well irrigated hedges appearing to help buffer homes from fire in some cases. www.latimes.com/environment/...

Wood frame houses may require 30' spacing to have any chance of resisting fire spread in extreme conditions - a non starter on 50' wide lots. Attached homes separated by a firewall, however, have a proven record.

Best piece yet on the challenge of protecting homes from wildfire. A house (and neighborhood) are only as safe as their weakest link. www.newyorker.com/news/the-led...