I was scheduled to fly from Tokyo into Los Angeles today, but due to the fires I re-scheduled my flight to tomorrow praying that by then the fires die down or can be contained.
As someone who grew up in Southern California and call it my second home, I've seen these fires many times, but this one is different. The Palisades fire, which is the one in the coastal hills, was incredibly fast due to the Santa Ana winds. The Santa Ana winds usually arrive in Fall, but can occur anytime. They are hurricane force winds, which when I was young I loved because it was fun to play in them. My friends and I would climb trees and ride the windy waves. However, when they arrive there are often arsonists and fires arrive with them. I'm not saying arson is the case, as I've heard this started in a backyard in the Palisades, but we're not sure yet.
Incredibly sad the Palisades fire has wiped the community off the map. Dry California vegetation plus 80-100mph winds plus fire will do that.
The Eaton fire(Pasadena) is the one up against the Los Angeles and San Gabriel mountains. I'm really worried about this one because the fuel in those mountains could keep this fire going for weeks. Add in winds and it could get even more apocalyptic than it already is.
As of now the winds have died down, but the containment is still 0 and a new fire has broken out in the Hollywood Hills.
My folks and friends are safe down in Orange County for now, but if the winds pick back up there's no telling what will happen. People just can't understand how dry So. Cal. is and always has been. It's a desert and over the past 20 years there has been non-stop building into the foothills where trees and brush are much thicker than down in the flat lands.
I'll be on the ground Friday as long as LAX stays open, but I'm not looking forward to flying into the smoke and fire storms.
I'll be saying a prayer for the people affected and give a donation or two to some fundraisers, especially for those HIVEr's that live in So. Cal.
For good reporting on the fires check out NNick Sotor's X
Also, Airnow has great up to date info. on the fires and smoke.
Thanks for reading!
