Fires In LA

[JoeKitchen]

So the fires in LA are looking pretty tremendous and catastrophic given the coverage. 

I realize LA is rather large geographically; how bad is this right now?  How much of the city do you think this is going to effect? 

[digitaldog]

https://www.cnn.com/2025/01/07/weather/gallery/california-wildfires/index.html

[JoeKitchen]

Just spoke to an AD in NYC who is in a private chat group with people in the film industry. 

Universal has closed it lots.  Prop houses are starting to shut down.  Disney just shut down all filming.  Warner Brothers is near there as well, so they will probably shut down filming as well. 

Just talking to people I know in the film industry and it is mayhem in LA.  This is bad. 

[BAB]

Unfortunately with the winds we have had the hot embers are traveling with ease. Firefights are doing their best but in many areas  the pressure in the hydrants is to low or no pressure at all causing loss to structures along those water lines. Pandemonium is the best description at this point.

[dreed]

The insurance bill for this is going to be massive, so get ready for your insurance premiums to go up again.

Losses from fire to expected to exceed $50 billion.

https://www.latimes.com/business/story/2025-01-09/loss-from-wildfires-could-surpass-50-billion

[Rob C]

Why do so many American houses get built from wood? Is there something against the general use of bricks?

[Frans Waterlander]

Why do so many American houses get built from wood? Is there something against the general use of bricks?

Yes, earthquakes.

[digitaldog]

How L.A. conquered an earthquake danger zone: Brick buildings
https://www.latimes.com/local/lanow/la-me-ln-how-l-a-conquered-an-earthquake-danger-zone-brick-buildings-20151009-story.html
Los Angeles was one of the first cities in California to require retrofitting of unreinforced brick buildings. Of about 8,000 buildings, almost all have been retrofitted or demolished after a 1981 law.