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As of today, 719 square miles (1150 km) of land has burned in California this last week alone. I think all of us have heard more than enough news stories about the fires (24 hour coverage!) and even if we’re trying to ignore the news reports, we still can’t help to get an ear full of it somewhere. I thought perhaps I’d be one less site adding to the onslaught of “Cali Fire 2007″ information.
But I can’t ignore that number. 719 square miles. I decided to put it into perspective
The fire’s destruction is roughly 31 times larger than Manhattan, NY.
If it was in Chicago, it would have engulfed the entire city 3 times already.
London would also be completely burned to the ground with an additional 100 miles of it’s suburbs smoldering too.
Miami, Orlando, and Tampa Bay Florida combined would have been destroyed days ago.
So, I guess I can understand what all the hoopla is about.
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October 27th, 2007 at 5:47 am
The 'hoopla' as you call it is perhaps best judged by the size for those who have no vested interest in huge urban areas burning to the ground.
Tornado's, and Hurricane's usually do not do damage to areas that size even though they are far more frequent in nature.
Frankly, as a resident of SoCal, I don't give two shakes as to whether anyone outside the state pays attention or not. Not being mean, just honest
October 27th, 2007 at 7:47 am
The ‘hoopla’ as you call it is perhaps best judged by the size for those who have no vested interest in huge urban areas burning to the ground.
Tornado’s, and Hurricane’s usually do not do damage to areas that size even though they are far more frequent in nature.
Frankly, as a resident of SoCal, I don’t give two shakes as to whether anyone outside the state pays attention or not. Not being mean, just honest
October 27th, 2007 at 11:33 am
I agree with you, Dusty. For those of us who aren't in the thick of it, we have to imagine its impact with more than just overused media adjectives like "huge", "enormous", or "vast".
And for the record, the whole world really does gives two shakes. It's really quite amazing how much ground the fires have covered and the amount of damage they've caused.
I just thought I'd help out those of us who needed a little more help imagining the seriousness of the matter.
Either way, I hope you and the other SoCal residents are surviving and this situation will eventually become another story to tell your grandkids.
October 27th, 2007 at 11:33 am
I agree with you, Dusty. For those of us who aren't in the thick of it, we have to imagine its impact with more than just overused media adjectives like "huge", "enormous", or "vast".
And for the record, the whole world really does gives two shakes. It's really quite amazing how much ground the fires have covered and the amount of damage they've caused.
I just thought I'd help out those of us who needed a little more help imagining the seriousness of the matter.
Either way, I hope you and the other SoCal residents are surviving and this situation will eventually become another story to tell your grandkids.
October 27th, 2007 at 1:33 pm
I agree with you, Dusty. For those of us who aren’t in the thick of it, we have to imagine its impact with more than just overused media adjectives like “huge”, “enormous”, or “vast”.
And for the record, the whole world really does gives two shakes. It’s really quite amazing how much ground the fires have covered and the amount of damage they’ve caused.
I just thought I’d help out those of us who needed a little more help imagining the seriousness of the matter.
Either way, I hope you and the other SoCal residents are surviving and this situation will eventually become another story to tell your grandkids.
October 27th, 2007 at 2:00 pm
I hope Ms. Missive you didn't take my comment as negative. I loved how you laid it out for those who do not live here or have loved ones suffering through the fear and all. We Cali residents think we are used to them, but the fact is..your never going to get used to something that can take your entire history and life long dreams in just a matter of minutes. Pictures do not do justice to what the streets look like after the firestorms have passed..its like the terrain on the moon..seriously..no sounds of birds or the wind whistling through the leaves..nothing but ash for a foot or so down to the burnt soil.
Thank you for your post and your insight. As a resident of SoCal I appreciate it very much
October 27th, 2007 at 2:00 pm
I hope Ms. Missive you didn't take my comment as negative. I loved how you laid it out for those who do not live here or have loved ones suffering through the fear and all. We Cali residents think we are used to them, but the fact is..your never going to get used to something that can take your entire history and life long dreams in just a matter of minutes. Pictures do not do justice to what the streets look like after the firestorms have passed..its like the terrain on the moon..seriously..no sounds of birds or the wind whistling through the leaves..nothing but ash for a foot or so down to the burnt soil.
Thank you for your post and your insight. As a resident of SoCal I appreciate it very much
October 27th, 2007 at 2:21 pm
No offense taken. I'm actually quite pleased that a native SoCali was able to add a little insight to the fire for all of us non-Cali's.
October 27th, 2007 at 2:21 pm
No offense taken. I'm actually quite pleased that a native SoCali was able to add a little insight to the fire for all of us non-Cali's.
October 27th, 2007 at 2:31 pm
Thank goodness..I can be quite a pain when I comment..and people sometimes take it the wrong way.
The last big fire 4 years ago this week was the Cedar fire, started by a hunter who was lost and shot off a flare..can you imagine his horror to know he started that huge thing?
I have friends, their house was the only one standing on an entire two block area after that fire. They told me they went through incredible survivors guilt..not to mention it was like living in a desert completely alone..no sounds of children playing on the weekend..no one to visit with over the back yard fence..the devastation is emotional as well.
Thanks again
October 27th, 2007 at 2:31 pm
Thank goodness..I can be quite a pain when I comment..and people sometimes take it the wrong way.
The last big fire 4 years ago this week was the Cedar fire, started by a hunter who was lost and shot off a flare..can you imagine his horror to know he started that huge thing?
I have friends, their house was the only one standing on an entire two block area after that fire. They told me they went through incredible survivors guilt..not to mention it was like living in a desert completely alone..no sounds of children playing on the weekend..no one to visit with over the back yard fence..the devastation is emotional as well.
Thanks again
October 27th, 2007 at 4:00 pm
I hope Ms. Missive you didn’t take my comment as negative. I loved how you laid it out for those who do not live here or have loved ones suffering through the fear and all. We Cali residents think we are used to them, but the fact is..your never going to get used to something that can take your entire history and life long dreams in just a matter of minutes. Pictures do not do justice to what the streets look like after the firestorms have passed..its like the terrain on the moon..seriously..no sounds of birds or the wind whistling through the leaves..nothing but ash for a foot or so down to the burnt soil.
Thank you for your post and your insight. As a resident of SoCal I appreciate it very much
October 27th, 2007 at 4:21 pm
No offense taken. I’m actually quite pleased that a native SoCali was able to add a little insight to the fire for all of us non-Cali’s.
October 27th, 2007 at 4:31 pm
Thank goodness..I can be quite a pain when I comment..and people sometimes take it the wrong way.
The last big fire 4 years ago this week was the Cedar fire, started by a hunter who was lost and shot off a flare..can you imagine his horror to know he started that huge thing?
I have friends, their house was the only one standing on an entire two block area after that fire. They told me they went through incredible survivors guilt..not to mention it was like living in a desert completely alone..no sounds of children playing on the weekend..no one to visit with over the back yard fence..the devastation is emotional as well.
Thanks again