2 Responses to “‘A serious, critical, catastrophic event’: At least 21 dead as California wildfires spread”

1. X-Files
   October 11th, 2017 @ 1:49 pm

   Well, I’ve always thought that this kind of thing should not be happening!

   Even if it’s dry there…

   Wouldn’t it be more logical that someone is doing this on purpose?

   And even in two different locations.

   How does this happen, at various intervals?

2. Paula Hoehn
   October 11th, 2017 @ 2:30 pm

   Hi X-Files,

   According to report below, the earliest 911 calls said transformers exploding, wires down, and later in article high winds (dramatic photos of power poles, lines down on roadways & power lines catching fire).

   https://www.mercurynews.com/2017/10/10/pge-power-lines-linked-to-wine-country-fires/

   PG&E power lines linked to Wine Country fires
   By Paul Rogers, Matthias Gafni, & George Avalos – Bay Area News Group

   Excerpt:
   “The historic wind event that swept across PG&E service area late Sunday and early Monday packed hurricane-strength winds in excess of 75 mph in some cases,” said PG&E spokesman Matt Nauman.”

   State Sen. Jerry Hill, D-Redwood City:
   Excerpt:
   “If it turns out that PG&E is responsible for this fire and negligent for not putting in the resources or for diverting the resources,” Hill said, “then I will be the first one to stand up and say we need to dissolve PG&E as a private company and form a public utility. We would not have the confidence or trust in them in the future. Nor should we.”

   Excerpt:
   “Officials for the PUC did not provide a safety official to answer questions Tuesday about the wine country fires, or PG&E’s records in maintaining its power lines and tree-trimming responsibilities.”

   Excerpt:
   “It may take some time for fire officials or utilities to determine the possible cause of the fires,” said Terrie Prosper, a spokeswoman for the PUC, which regulates big power companies such as PG&E. “Once that occurs, if it appears that a utility line may have been involved, the PUC will investigate.”

   Excerpt:
   “For multiple fires to all start around the same time in the middle of the night, lightning or arson could also have been a cause. But Ken Pimlott, chief of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, ruled out lightning at a news conference on Tuesday.”

   Excerpt:
   “Pimlott did, however, note the high winds.”

   Excerpt:
   “When we have a wind event like this — 50 mph winds bearing down on areas — every fire that starts has a significant potential to grow into a large fire very quickly,” he said.”

   ——–
   Paula Hoehn

Leave a Reply