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WILDFIRES INTENSIFIED OVERNIGHT in Los Angeles, California as firefighters battled the massive flames that have swept over parts of the city.
Five people died and more than 130,000 residents have been evacuated as the devastating fires burned through homes, businesses, churches and stripmalls all over the northern part of the city.
Images emerging from Los Angeles, though spectacular, show the reality of the extent of destruction caused by the catastrophic inferno.
The entire Los Angeles county fire department, and units neighbouring outlets, have been battling the flames since late on Sunday – as an estimated 1,500 structures have already been burnt to the ground.
Chief of the department, Chad Augustin, said last night that some units have struggled with the scale and speed of the unfolding disaster.
Flames have marched towards highly populated and affluent neighbourhoods, including Calabasas and Santa Monica, home to California’s rich and famous. Hollywood stars.
Mandy Moore, Cary Elwes and Paris Hilton are among the stars who said Wednesday they had lost homes. Claudio and Kathleen Boltiansky lost their home after the fire-ravaged neighborhood of Pacific Palisades was almost entirely destroyed.
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“But it’s totally normal to have wildfires in January” said every Facebook expert.
@Jacintha Dumbrell: Why are you having hissy fits on here about facebook posts that “trigger” you? I’d say something if the wildfires were happening here in Ireland, but they’re not. Happening the other side of the world. Get a grip clown.
@Marvin Dollery: the only one I see having a hissy fit is you. Truth hurts I suppose…
@Marvin Dollery: Absolute state of this. The standard of conversation in the comments section has become significantly worse since your account appeared.
@Jason Memail: he’s outraged at everything and takes this comment section way too seriously, which I suppose you do if you live in social media bubbles all day.
@Jacintha Dumbrell: You think Facebook experts are bad now, wait til the crappy guardrails come off in a few weeks! But don’t worry, Zuck is doing it to save the world. With a bit of software. And 50% of it is minion memes.
@Jason Memail: So because you dislike what I have to say, you think my account should be removed? Isn’t that the very principle ye leftists proclaim to defend? Seems ye have gone full circle. Nice attempt at “white knighting”. Dumbrell is far from a damzel in distress.
@Jacintha Dumbrell: Here a chart of Global Temperatures and CO2 Levels last 2000 years:
https://imgur.com/gallery/global-temperature-co2-levels-last-2000-years-5ioVzFY
We have a problem. And temperatures for the last 65 million years:
Current global temperatures are warmest in c. 125,000 years, CO2 levels are highest in c. 15 million years and they continue to rise rapidly.
And here’s a study showing forest fires (intensity) are the worst in 10,000 years:
Kelly, R., Chipman, M.L., Higuera, P.E., Stefanova, I., Brubaker, L.B. and Hu, F.S., 2013. Recent burning of boreal forests exceeds fire regime limits of the past 10,000 years. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 110(32), pp.13055-13060.
@Marvin Dollery: master of deduction yet again. Jason never mentioned that your account should be removed and how do you know he is a “leftist”. He only makes the (IMO correct) observation that the standard of your comments is deplorable.
@Name: At least I use my name. And by the way, it’s only your opinion. Everyone has one.
@Jacintha Dumbrell: Don’t read Facebook, read science based fact. Here’s a fact. In the area burning today there is vegetation which drops seeds in pods that can only open when exposed to…fire. Yes, climate change can alter local conditions which can make wildfires more likely, but in this particular instance damage is man-made only in the sense that man chose to build homes in areas where fires are not only likely but are essential to the lifecycle of local flora. High time the planning authorities took some responsibility for what’s occurring rather than point the finger at people who have the audacity to own a car or want to heat their homes.
@Ronan Mc: In fairness, libel action against defamation or slander should be taken by the courts. Not by some meta subsidiary. Everyone active on platforms should know how to properly sue someone. Including the journal comment section which is a goldmine.
@Name: He or she is not outraged about anything. He or she is desperate for attention, good or bad. Mute them.
@Ollie McGlinchey: A tolerant little lefty weirdo aren’t you Glinchy. Mute anyone you disagree with incase it hurts precious folks feelings. Grow up.
After the last fires Trump recommended that fire breaks between areas need to be implanted but got no support by the ever negative media, maybe he can get things moving when he gets back.
@thomas molloy: taking advice from trump on forrest management is like taking advice from bertie ahern on bank accounts…….both havent a clue
@Tom Newell: what is a forrest? Do you mean forest?
@Tom Newell: He also said that they should sweep the forest floors. Fire breaks would not have made an ounce of difference in 75 mph winds!
@thomas molloy: State of California is preparing to sue Trump for inaction and denial of global warming, causing wide spread destruction.
@thomas molloy: except he never said that at all. He never mentioned “fire breaks”. He did talk about how the forestry service looked after the wilderness there and used the example of Finland “raking their forests” to prevent forest fires. Much to the amusement of Finns who do not rake their forests. Do you honestly think that Trump knows what a fire break is or how they work? As it happens fire breaks would not have done anything to prevent these current fires all of which started in brush in residential areas. The wind is driving them and embers from early fires are travelling through their via wind and causing fires elsewhere. They are crossing the many roads and highways in the hills. Not a lot could be done to prevent these fires sadly
@thomas molloy: impossible. Embers can travel several kilometres airborne. Fires can also start spontaneously in 0-10% humidity. Trump knows as much about managing forests as he does about every other topic. Virtually nil. May the Divils spawnings drag him to Hades and burn the Cheryl Cole off of him.
There’s an ad for a firewood in Northern Ireland placed in this article.
Very tactful. Lol.
@Fergus O’Donnell: lol. You really are hilarious.
looks like Gaza
@eoin fitzpatrick: There are definitely more Jews in Hollywood than in Gaza.
@eoin fitzpatrick: except they are not being starved to death and drones arent shooting wounded kids on the ground.
They should ask the Australians for help on how to put the fires out
Terrible news, but the thing dominating my head right now is the song Open Up by Leftfield.
@David Guiney: indeed, and what a brilliant track! Leftfield and Lydon – what a combo
California should sue Trump for inaction on, even causing, global warming.
No sympathy for them.
@DAN TEDSON: how sad it must be to be you.
@lastfewchocices: on the contrary, enjoying this karma immensely. Burn Hollywood, burn.
@DAN TEDSON: karma for what?
@DAN TEDSON: PE
have your say