Brown raises fire alarm

Rocky FireStinging from a surprise defeat in the Legislature over the scope of proposed emissions cuts, Gov. Jerry Brown has declared a state of emergency over California’s raging wildfires.

“His announcement, which will help expedite debris removal and waive fees to replace essential documents like birth certificates for those who’ve had to abandon their homes and belongings, came one day after four firefighters were injured,” CNN reported.

The tally of affected counties included Lake, Napa, Amador and Calaveras. The growth of the blazes has been rapid. One fire, the Los Angeles Times noted, “spread southwest by almost 20,000 acres over the last two days to 119,069 acres in the area of Sequoia and Kings Canyon national parks […] as extended heat and wind have fueled its growth[.]”

Dire predictions

Brown also seized the opportunity to recast his environmental policies in terms that would raise the hackles of his Republican opponents. “What we see in Europe now, with mass migrations, that will happen in California,” he warned at a news conference in Sacramento County, as the San Francisco Chronicle reported. “Central America and Mexico, as they warm, people are going to get on the move. It’s a real challenge.”

Although some analysts have cautioned that shifting climate conditions could prompt huge population displacements around the world, Europe’s current crisis was merely suggestive. “Heat, rising sea levels and drought are expected to disrupt populations around the world in coming decades, though the current refugee crisis in Europe speaks to other causes of migration,” the Sacramento Bee noted. “Millions of people have fled Syria as a result of civil war.”

California’s fire season has given Brown a superficially powerful but subtly complicated way to dramatize the state’s environmental challenges. Although he insisted “that California has to be ready for more fires like the ones raging through Lake County, Gold Country and Kings Canyon National Park,” according to the Chronicle, he also noted “he has talked to fire officials who say they have never seen the kind of erratic behavior that fires are showing this year.”

Policy pushback

Critics frustrated by Brown’s dogged attempts to slash California emissions pointed out how quickly the fires have likely negated the impact of recent cuts. Quoting a 2007 study by National Center for Atmospheric Research and the University of Colorado at Boulder scientists, the Wall Street Journal asserted that “a severe fire season lasting only one or two months can release as much carbon as the annual emissions from the entire transportation or energy sector of an individual state.” One researcher, the Journal added, “estimated that southern California fires that burned for one week produced as much carbon dioxide as a quarter of the state’s monthly fossil-fuel emissions.”

Meanwhile, even some supporters of Brown’s emissions agenda took issue with California’s broader fire and forest management policies. In an editorial proclaiming that the climate has already changed, the Los Angeles Times addressed a litany of questions to policymakers:

“Is the way we manage our forests, such as making them less dense by removing younger trees, adding to the possibility of massive fires? Are we making the right decisions about funding and fire prevention? Do land-use policies that allow development to push deeper into forested regions take into account the mounting danger of wildfires? Do we have adequate financial resources to fight the new normal fire season? Does it even make sense to fight fires to the same degree?”

Ironically, Sacramento has come under attack for its fire prevention fee, which doesn’t go toward actually fighting blazes themselves. “The Brown administration declined comment. But a recent state report says the fee raises about $75 million dollars a year for efforts like identifying evacuation routes and clearing brush,” Valley Public Radio observed. “A taxpayers group has sued the state, alleging the fee is an unconstitutional tax. But a final ruling could take years.”

41 comments

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  1. desmond
    desmond 19 September, 2015, 05:28

    Overdue.
    Speaking of the migrants, California should accept 450000 migrants from the European refugee crisis and settle them in the wealthiest coastal counties. The number is derived from Germany’s percentage.
    Give them the opportunity to compete for jobs. With all the money the state has for services, this can be easily absorbed by the communities and Sacramento. Let the Latino delegation lead this effort, to exemplify their embrace of diversity and compassion. I await Kevin De Leon and Ricardo Lara to practice their Progressivism in this global outreach.

    Reply this comment
  2. Richard Rider
    Richard Rider 19 September, 2015, 09:53

    Sadly, CA cities and counties won’t consider developing reserve volunteer firefighting brigades to deal with such fires when they approach populated areas. We can put prisoners out in the canyons fighting brush fires after 2-3 weeks training, but refuse to do the same with volunteers needed to defend homes from primarily embers in subdivisions.

    The most culpable party is our local firefighter unions, who don’t want the help, even if it means that more homes burn down and lives are lost. Through their Sacramento allies and sycophants, they have pushed through laws that make it all but impossible to have volunteer firefighters in our state — even though over 70% of our nation’s firefighters are volunteers (my TRUE firefighting heroes).

    Jerry Brown COULD take point on combating this ff stranglehold on innovation, but he won’t. It’s one of the most feared “third rails” in politics. No one wants to touch it. Everyone loves firefighters.

    Reply this comment
    • Teddy
      Teddy 20 September, 2015, 14:57

      WOW— Once again– are you misinformed Ricardo Rider. MANY counties sport HUGE volunteer forces and most in conjunction with Brown’s beloved Cal Fire crews—— For example, almost EVERY single one of Riverside County’s 100 plus paid fire stations also have a robust all voluteer crew saving millions of dollars—- please try to keep up Mr. Rider– I expect better.

      Reply this comment
      • Richard Rider
        Richard Rider 21 September, 2015, 11:47

        Teddy, it’s hard to “keep up” when you make stuff up. No WONDER you remain anonymous. You’re a liar.

        For instance, you blithely claim that “almost EVERY single one of Riverside County’s 100 plus paid fire stations also have a robust all volunteer crew saving millions of dollars.” COMPLETELY false.

        You didn’t think I’d check? I’ve dealt with you before — your con man reputation precedes you!

        While the county has an anemic volunteer program, it’s design an requirements result in few people actually volunteering. And it appears it does NOTHING to materially increase firefighting response. I’ve looked at the county before, but I updated my info this AM.

        Here’s the list of the fire stations in Riverside County:
        http://www.rvcfire.org/stationsAndFunctions/FireStations/Pages/default.aspx

        I randomly picked five stations to test your assertion — every 10th station (or 11th if the 10th didn’t answer).
        STATION
        10 None
        20 None
        30 None
        41 None
        50 YES! Maybe 2 volunteers, they weren’t sure

        I was referred on to a handful of other stations that DID have volunteers:
        23 One
        66 Two
        79 The most active, with THREE

        In ALL cases, the volunteer rides the truck as an EXTRA man (they man their trucks with 3 paid firefighters). These volunteers, while welcome, don’t save the taxpayers a DIME — a somewhat lower figure than your dishonest “millions of dollars.”

        Reply this comment
        • Ted
          Ted 21 September, 2015, 13:02

          LOL Dicky–

          I am a liar? LMAO—- I’ll leave the name calling for a small person like you— Volunteer’s compromise not only much of Riverside but many other CDF counties as well— I have no idea who you spoke with.

          The second out engines, the squads, many rescues are still voli operated…..in Riverside County—– All I can do is laugh at you inadequate response!

          Reply this comment
        • ted
          ted 21 September, 2015, 13:35

          Are the 300 Riverside County Volunteer Firefighters in this news clip telling a lie Richy?

          https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lFvgTeXFh9s

          Do you think 9/11 was an inside job?
          Do you think the moon landing was a hoax?
          Are you even a little embarrassed about the name calling yet?

          Reply this comment
        • ted
          ted 21 September, 2015, 13:40

          Oh no! Looks like San Diego County has volunteers too Ricky?

          http://www.sandiegocounty.gov/content/sdc/sdcfa/volunteer-program/about.html

          Reply this comment
        • ted
          ted 21 September, 2015, 13:45

          and good old Orange County too Dicky–

          http://www.ocfa.org/Residents/ReserveFirefighters.aspx

          This is just going to be painful if I do it statewide little buddy!

          Reply this comment
        • ted the honest
          ted the honest 21 September, 2015, 13:49

          What about Fresno Richy?

          http://fresnocountyfire.org/index.php?c=26

          Reply this comment
        • ted
          ted 21 September, 2015, 14:02

          Now Little Ricky–

          This poor Northern Cali FF’s house done got burned down while he was out fightin fires!

          http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/2015/0921/N.-California-fires-burn-1-600-homes-including-volunteer-firefighter-s

          I wonder if this is a lie too?

          Reply this comment
        • ted
          ted 21 September, 2015, 14:07

          Now Ricardo-

          If you want to be a volunteer FF way down Imperial County way you’ll want to check in here…

          Does the Imperial County Fire Department have a Volunteer Program?

          Yes, applications may be obtained at ICFD Station #2 (Heber). The contact person is Captain Charles Seaman, he can be reached via phone at (442) 265-6000.

          Reply this comment
        • Ted
          Ted 21 September, 2015, 14:16

          So—- Richy—- Here is what you wrote just before you called me a liar…

          “Sadly, CA cities and counties won’t consider developing reserve volunteer firefighting brigades to deal with such fires…”

          Doesn’t it seem like the opposite is actually true and that “CA (sic) cities and counties” HAVE considered developing such forces and in fact have done so for over one hundred years?

          You always make this so easy Rich.

          Reply this comment
          • Richard Rider
            Richard Rider 22 September, 2015, 08:26

            Soooo, where’s your evidence that “almost EVERY single one of Riverside County’s 100 plus paid fire stations also have a robust all voluteer crew saving millions of dollars”? In every instance I’ve seen (including the video), the volunteers ride as a fourth man on the 3 man fire trucks. No taxpayer savings.

            You made it up. You lie.

            300 volunteers spread over a county the size of Riverside (half again the size of Connecticut) — with over 100 fire stations — provide all-volunteer crews at almost all the stations? Ludicrous.

            Moreover, the volunteers pull a couple 24 hour shifts a month (36 hour minimum required by Riverside), so they can’t all get together at a station and man a “volunteer” fire truck — let alone a truck at every station.

            Volunteers provide a bit of welcome extra manpower, but only a fraction of what’s needed. Moreover, we need far bigger on-call reserve volunteer fire brigades for the big brush fires.

          • Richard Rider
            Richard Rider 22 September, 2015, 08:33

            READ what I posted: “Sadly, CA cities and counties won’t consider developing reserve volunteer firefighting brigades to deal with such fires…”

            There are no “reserve volunteer firefighting brigades” in Riverside County. I know of none throughout the state, though it’s possible they may exist somewhere.

            What we DO have in some areas is a volunteer program to “ride along” with the paid firefighters. While commendable and helpful, this program is not geared up to provide ADDITIONAL fire protection — what I’m referring to with “reserve firefighting brigades.”

            I realize you are incensed that you got caught in your lies. But posting like crazy doesn’t change the fact that you lied — or cover it up.

    • Ted
      Ted 22 September, 2015, 10:25

      Ricardo–

      Now you assert that I am hearing voices? Come on little buddy. YOU wrote that cities and counties “won’t consider” creating volunteer forces. I didn’t write that. I wouldn’t write that because of course it aint true. And even a teensy weensy bit of research would tell even the casual observer that it aint so. So now you know—- they have had volunteers for 100 years…

      Those are not little voices in my head, I gave you citations to the world wide web little buddy—- You see this is the problem with many of your “stories” Ricardo—- just not always so accurate!

      Reply this comment
      • Ted
        Ted 22 September, 2015, 10:28

        LOL— Are you doubling down? LMAO— let me catch my breath…hahahaha…. you think the word “brigades” some how signifies that what you wrote was accurate?

        Oh my—-You’re missing ALL kinds of boats amigo!

        Reply this comment
        • Donkey
          Donkey 22 September, 2015, 20:37

          TTP can’t help not understanding the truth, his IQ prevents any thought process from going forward. 🙂

          Reply this comment
          • Ted
            Ted 23 September, 2015, 13:25

            Poor Duncey– she craves my attention! Here ya go girl!

  3. spurwing Plover
    spurwing Plover 19 September, 2015, 14:57

    Lets start putting Moonbeam and the Sierra Club as well as the rest of the eco-freaks on these fires They have been one of the cuases over their rediculous ideoligies over their eco-poppycock

    Reply this comment
    • Teddy
      Teddy 20 September, 2015, 19:50

      THE SIERRA CLUB WAS working with the guvment when they faked the moon landing– that’s when Buzz Aldrin’s son , Gov Brown, unthawed the Roswell alien bodies—-Thank God Carly Farina will fire all of them, take us BK and get another golden Parachute!

      Reply this comment
  4. desmond
    desmond 19 September, 2015, 15:13

    Mess with migrants created by US policy. Cal needs to step up.450000 people is nothing in a rich state. San Fran could easily absorb 100000. It would be good for everyone to pitch in. Higher taxes for working, lower benefits for the unemployed. The Latino ruling class needs to speak out and show their humanism and goal of diversity. Put the white privileged to shame.

    Reply this comment
  5. Dude
    Dude 19 September, 2015, 16:45

    “”Heat, rising sea levels and drought are expected to disrupt populations”

    How long is the media going to let Governor Moonbeam get away with these ridiculous statements that are completely without scientific basis?

    Reply this comment
    • Ted S
      Ted S 20 September, 2015, 19:58

      I agree Dooooooody— same with the “lamestream” Media and the Moon Landing hoax!

      Thank God We know for sure that Ted Cruz is not an alien, that only leaves Rubio– he may be— ever notice his uncontrollable thirst and goofy nervousnerss???? Alien for sure!

      Reply this comment
  6. Dude
    Dude 19 September, 2015, 16:51

    Please, somebody tell this egotistical nutjob that even their own scientists have admitted that there has been no increase in temps for 17 years. That’s why the changed the title of this lie from Global Somethinging to Climate Change. Also, the Middle Ages were warmer than now. I’m pretty sure there were no Hummers or coal burning power plants in the Middle Ages.

    Reply this comment
    • Teddy
      Teddy 20 September, 2015, 14:59

      yeah Doooood– you’re probably right— who cares what the vast majority of Phd level scientists think anyway. They are probably the same guys who faked the moon landings……

      Reply this comment
      • Dude
        Dude 20 September, 2015, 15:20

        You mean Ph D scientists like Dr. Michael Mann, head of the U.N’s Global Somethinging group who was caught red handed when he falsified his research data. Maybe he should’ve been telling his staff to spend time beefing up the security of his email server instead of telling them to “Hide the decreases in temperatures”. You Chicken Littles are just useful fools for the likes of Al Gorzeera. Your bloated leader that laughed all the way to the bank. Bwa ha ha ha ha!!!!

        Reply this comment
        • Teddy
          Teddy 20 September, 2015, 20:00

          OK Doooooody— you got one scientist down (of course the allegations are childlike) you only have to debunk 4,000 more!

          lmao this is easy!

          Reply this comment
          • Donkey
            Donkey 22 September, 2015, 20:35

            Ted the Parrot is a know nothing RAGWUS feeder. 🙂

          • NTHEOC
            NTHEOC 22 September, 2015, 21:06

            Hey Donk, how’s that HB pension tax?? Lol.

  7. Stuart Mill
    Stuart Mill 19 September, 2015, 19:02

    Nope dude, Stanford brains said this week the ocean buoys were giving the incorrect temps, so 15 year stop in whatever they call it was not correct. Man I can’t wait, if the Guv is right on…evacuations, flooding, naked girls hungry..What is wrong with that? Party, beach cams recording cannibalism. Move over NFL. TV Ratings out of sight.

    Reply this comment
    • Dude
      Dude 19 September, 2015, 22:18

      How odd Stuart, you believe the cover story “facts”, but not the real science

      Reply this comment
  8. Stuart Mill
    Stuart Mill 20 September, 2015, 05:38

    The only science I need is hungry, naked girls running from cannibals. I am storing food, water, and wine. I will be good. Take care, Dude.

    Reply this comment
  9. Chief Who
    Chief Who 20 September, 2015, 23:39

    As a Fire Chief with over 30 years of experience, I am disgusted by the way the Fire Service (Unions) are trying to use “climate change” and the drought to push their agendas.

    On multiple occasions I have been in meetings where it is blatantly discussed to use the narrative that everything is worse than ever. The statistics be damned. Fires are not more erratic, deadly, hotter, or whatever BS the FD rep is telling the media. Things ebb and flow over time. This isn’t the first drought and it won’t be the last.

    Reply this comment
    • Ted
      Ted 21 September, 2015, 11:16

      Hey Chief– stick to driving code 3 and squirting water– your science credentials would fill a thimble….

      Reply this comment
    • NTHEOC
      NTHEOC 22 September, 2015, 21:04

      Hey Chief, you have no experience you pencil pushing number cruncher! How’s the view from the window at that cushy desk of yours. The only meeting you probably sit in is sitting on the lap of your favorite council member. I highly doubt you are a chief!!!

      Reply this comment
  10. Ulysses Uhaul
    Ulysses Uhaul 21 September, 2015, 19:47

    Sandbox players.

    Can’t we all get along together?

    Reply this comment
  11. spurwing Plover
    spurwing Plover 22 September, 2015, 07:36

    what ever became of that tree sitting green nut Julia(Butterfly)Hill we hav’nt heard much of her since she sat in that tree she called Luna(Lunatics like herself)and her and her wacky folowers weant nutso when someone sawed around Lunas girth Yeah the green nuts are falling thick

    Reply this comment

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