Yesterday on Los Angeles region radio and TV, the news was all about the Borderline "massacre." Weepy politicians and tales of horror and heroism, plus commentary on gun control. Today, the fires pushed the Borderline story to the back page. Coincidentally, the fires started in the Thousand Oaks area, south of Simi Valley, and have been driven by wind into the Malibu hills. This is a serious fire, among the biggest and damaging the region has seen in a long while. Fires are a constant in this region because of the seasonal Santa Ana winds that move in a north to south direction toward the coast. The Malibu Hills and Santa Monica Mountains in general could not have been created better for the worst case scenario in terms of land and property damage if they catch fire during a Santa Ana wind event. Because of frequent fires dating back to ancient times, the chaparral vegetation that thrives is also among the most flammable. After a fire the land can appear as if a blackened moon landscape. But after winter rains, by spring the plants come back to life. 10 years following that, another fire burns it all down again, starting the process all over.
People who build homes on that land put their investment and lives at risk. I know good people (Trump supporters) who have been evacuated, their home in the danger zone.
Notable about this fire is that it started and spread in what can be described as the worst case scenario in terms of how much land from east to west the fire covers, all of it heading south. Even without strong winds, the fuel driven fire is expected to burn to the ocean. Within that burn zone are some of the most expensive homes, owned by you name the Hollywood producer/actor/musician, many of whom vote blue, create, support and profit from the division our country is suffering beneath. Tears for the cabal and their useful idiots? Anyone?
Local ABC affiliate TV coverage here. https://abc7.com/live/