California Fires

Nothing new about CA fires, mud slides, earthquakes, and lack of water, but I heard there were maybe 4000 or more firefighters there due to the current dry shrub burning.

As far as I can tell they are given credit for saving maybe 60 houses from burning and in general guard many others so if flames happen to approach they can warn the owners to leave.

Two have died when they ran off a cliff.

The required clothing in the high 90 dry heat reduces efficiency and stamina greatly.

They are dropping water and fire retardant on the shrub fires with everything from helicopters to 747 aircraft. That one costs $30,000 and hour just to lease the plane---retardant and gasoline not included.

There are firefighters and other clerical and supervisors and engineers there from several other states.

I have two questions:

1. Who pays all these firemen and pilots, and others, and how much do they earn a week there?

2. Why are these people allowed to rebuild in such places there by law, causing our insurance here to go up?
They aren't even required to cut out a fire break around their property!

It isn't like New Orleans either where they continue to build underwater. They have no insurance.

I don't mind using a socialism type of insurance coverage where we all pay for each other but at least we should have a few rules.

I suppose libertarians think insurance on property is socialist, maybe?

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Bonker$,
Cyclist's picture
Submitted by Cyclist on Thu, 09/03/2009 - 7:04pm.

The state of California picks up the tab with help form the Guv if it is a declared state of emergency. Also, if it's on federal land the Guv pays. As for the pay, I've heard it's not much. I knew a few pilots and they were either young and building time for better paying jobs or retired airline types.

As for the insurance stuff it's a risk based business shared by all policy holders.
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cyclist
Submitted by Bonkers on Fri, 09/04/2009 - 4:53am.

That "sharing risk" stuff sounds socialistic to me! Or is that one of thousands of socialism stuff that the libertarians allow? You know: cops, roads, airports, food regulation, ALPA, Aircraft controllers, National Guard, Federal Military, traffic laws, banks, insurance companies, county school systems, city government, .......

I just wondered what all those firemen do when they go home and especially the ones from West Virginia and other states? Is there a boondoggle there somewhere? Do they get daily sustenance?
Don't they just pretty much let the brush burn itself out and guard some homes that shouldn't be there anyway?

That whole area of southern California has been cleansing itself by burning out for thousands of years. The water will soon be gone however.

Isn't it political to make a show at fighting the fire instead of letting homes burn?

I'm interested in clear answers---not criticism for hacking at firefighters. Good ones are great and hard to find.

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And a good morning to you Bonker$
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Submitted by Cyclist on Fri, 09/04/2009 - 6:37am.

I'm glad to see you're making your rounds.

That "sharing risk" stuff sounds socialistic to me!

So you're not happy with the current concept of risk management; then please enlighten us with your idea(s).

Don't they just pretty much let the brush burn itself out and guard some homes that shouldn't be there anyway?

Yep that's pretty much it; although, the location of those homes is your subjective tack.

Anyways, I back to work.
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cyclist
Submitted by Bonkers on Fri, 09/04/2009 - 6:59am.

PARDON ME......SO IT IS "RISK MANAGEMENT" NOT SOCIALISM?

I Have no ideas about how to do without a strong central government or how to be a Libertarian without being a hypocrite! I think so-called libertarians and tea people and birthers are in all that for the publicity and recognition---kinda like the lady on the cart path.

Location of the homes is my subjective tack? Yes, they know the danger and keep getting insurance for which they do not pay for a sufficient risk.
It is stupid. Might as well build on the wrong side of the New Orleans flood walls!
Do you sell Insurance?

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