L.A. County Fire Chief Blames Woolsey Fire on ‘Extreme Climate Change’
Los Angeles County Fire Chief Daryl Osby on Monday appeared to blame climate change for the deadly Woolsey fire in Southern California and pushed back against President Donald Trump’s criticism of state officials, who he claimed were responsible for the fast-spreading blaze.
“I don’t really want to politize our efforts right now,” Osby told reporters when asked about President Trump blaming the fire on “gross” mismanagement. “I can just tell you that we’re in extreme climate change right now. We don’t control the climate.”
“We’re doing all we can to prevent incidents and save lives,” the official continued. “I personally find that statement unsatisfactory, and it’s very hurtful for all the first responders that are putting their lives on the line to protect lives and property.”
While in France to commemorate the anniversary of World War I, President Trump responded to reports of thousands of acres scorched and nine deaths due to the three wildfires. “There is no reason for these massive, deadly and costly forest fires in California except that forest management is so poor,” the president tweeted.
President Trump threatened he would revoke federal funding for California unless the fires were quickly extinguished. “Billions of dollars are given each year, with so many lives lost, all because of gross mismanagement of the forests. Remedy now, or no more Fed payments!” he added.
Following Osby’s briefing, reports emerged revealing Southern California Edison notified state officials of a circuit malfunction two minutes before the blaze started.
The Los Angeles Times says the electrical supply company filed a report with the California Public Utilities Commission after the malfunction “out of an abundance of caution.” The utility giant told the agency that its Chatsworth substation “relayed” on Thursday at 2:22 p.m on East Street and Alfa Road, near the site where the Woosley Fire was sparked. “At this point, we have no indication from fire agency personnel that SCE utility facilities may have been involved in the start of the fire,” the company’s report reads. “The investigation into the matter is ongoing.”
Officials confirmed the Woolsey fire has taken the lives of two people while firefighters race to put out the blaze that has scorched over 143 square miles in southern California. At least 30 people are dead and nearly 230 are missing as the Camp Fire rages through parts of northern California, destroying most of Paradise
https://www.breitbart.com/environment/2018/11/12/la-county-fire-chief-blames-woolsey-fire-on-extreme-climate-change/
Los Angeles-Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas applauded the appointment of Daryl L. Osby to the position of Los Angeles County Fire Chief.
“Daryl Osby’s impressive background makes him the right choice for this demanding job,” said Supervisor Ridley-Thomas. “He has extensive executive experience, a comprehensive understanding of emergency fire and medical services and, of course, years of on-the-ground firefighting experience.
Osby, a 24-year firefighting veteran, has had an exemplary career, rising through the ranks, becoming the department’s first African American to be appointed to the rank of Chief Deputy and now Chief of the department.
He was a top commander during many of the region’s most challenging fire crises, including the Catalina Island fire of 2007, the 2005 Topanga Fire and the California fire siege, when 15 wildfires ravaged Southern California in the space of one month. Also, after Hurricane Katrina, Osby was deployed to Louisiana for 18 days to assist with the devastated region’s comprehensive recovery planning.
The new Chief has a long history of community involvement and mentoring activities throughout the Los Angeles regions, including the L.A. Junior Firefighters Foundation, Youth for Excellence Foundation and the Inglewood YMCA, and he is the recipient of numerous awards and commendations for his service.
Osby earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Organizational Leadership from Azusa Pacific University.
https://lasentinel.net/ridley-thomas-applauds-appointment-of-daryl-l-osby-as-l-a-county-fire-chief.html
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Osby has also worked in several emergency management positions throughout his career and has often served as the top commander during many headlining incidents, including the
Commerce train derailment, the 2003 California Fire Siege, the 2005 Topanga Fire, the 2007 Catalina Island Fire and the 2008 wildland fires. Following Hurricane Katrina in 2005, Osby was deployed to Louisiana for 18 days to assist the City of New Orleans in developing a continuity plan for their city government and managing recovery efforts.
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https://www.fireengineering.com/articles/2011/02/daryl-l-osby-appointed.html