Op/Ed
Letter to the editor: Films explain L.A. wildfires
For those wondering why the Los Angeles fires are so unstoppable, I recommend two riveting documentaries. A short PBS Weathered documentary: “Why the LA Fires are Almost Impossible to Stop” brings to life the latest research on the speed of such fires and why they are so destructive and unstoppable. This particularly explains the Eaton fire dynamics. A deeper look is provided by “Elemental: Reimagine Wildfire,” available on most streaming platforms. Dramatic fire footage, interviews of victims, and testimony by firefighters and other experts give us a clear understanding of the challenges. The combination of excessive heat and drought worsened by climate change, plus high winds, make it almost impossible for humankind to stop wildfires once they get going.
In moments of crisis, it is natural for people to want the impossible to happen, but the Elemental film shows and states very clearly “the LA Fire Department is the best, most sophisticated firefighting organization in the world.” If they can’t stop a fire nobody can, and under these conditions even they can’t. Fire hydrants running dry seems inexcusable, but American water systems across the country are not designed for such horrific circumstances. Fire hydrants can handle a few buildings burning; but when an entire neighborhood is on fire, and every block, every hydrant is calling for water at once the pipes simply cannot keep up with that demand. There is no legitimate blame to be assigned.
The only things that can protect buildings and prevent massive fire spread are things that need to be done in advance, what they call “building hardening” and creating “defensible space” around the structure. Roofs and walls of non-combustible materials, screens to keep embers out of vents, double glazed windows. No vegetation and combustible landscape materials close to structures. No wooden fences close to buildings. Sadly, many of the areas that have burned were built decades ago before LA building codes required non-combustible materials. Many people haven’t retrofitted or can’t afford to retrofit them. People resist clearing vegetation, because they want lush landscaping or to be in the forest. There is only so much the government can do to force them.
In times of disasters, people show unity and come together to support each other. Presidents and presidents-elect have the job of showing support and reassuring victims, of guaranteeing disaster relief, and providing assistance in rebuilding. Presidents lead.
Not so Donald Trump. He can’t resist politicizing peoples’ suffering to baselessly blame Democrats, from the President and the Governor to the mayor for not doing the impossible. He lies that FEMA has no disaster funding, adding to the anguish of victims who have lost everything. He invokes his shameless dog whistle that a woke bureaucracy is to blame. All while promoting fossil fuels and cutting climate mitigation measures. Now Republicans in Congress are following Trump’s lead and threatening to actually withhold disaster aid for political bargaining.
Despicable.
Trump is showing us once again who he really is, a creature of divisiveness and inhumanity. Trump has no intention of being a president for all Americans, only those who support him. It is time for good Americans of all political persuasions to call him out for what he is. And to demand that he helps, not impedes, recovery from this disaster.
Howard Jennings
Bristol
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