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NASA's ARIA Maps California Wildfires from Space

Jerome Marot

Well-known member
PIA22816-16.jpg

The Advanced Rapid Imaging and Analysis (ARIA) team at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California, created these Damage Proxy Maps (DPMs) depicting areas in California likely damaged by the Woolsey and Camp Fires. Image credit: NASA/JPL-Caltech


California continues to be plagued by wildfires - including the Woolsey Fire near Los Angeles and the Camp Fire in Northern California, now one of the deadliest in the state's history. NASA satellites are observing these fires - and the damage they're leaving behind - from space.

The Advanced Rapid Imaging and Analysis (ARIA) team at NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Pasadena, California, produced new damage maps using synthetic aperture radar images from the Copernicus Sentinel-1 satellites. The first map shows areas likely damaged by the Woolsey Fire as of Sunday, Nov. 11. It covers an area of about 50 miles by 25 miles (80 km by 40 km) - framed by the red polygon. The color variation from yellow to red indicates increasing ground surface change, or damage.


Source.
 

Asher Kelman

OPF Owner/Editor-in-Chief
Where we are, the air is getting a little course and acrid outside and at night the sun is surrounded by a haze at it sets.

But thankfully, no fires near us! We are separated by the 405 and 101 N freeways!

Asher
 

Asher Kelman

OPF Owner/Editor-in-Chief
Tragic and horrible. Some folk literally had to escape driving through flames for several minutes!

Many dead and more missing!

Asher
 

James Lemon

Well-known member
The Woolsey Fire, which began on November 8, has burned more than 150 square miles and destroyed hundreds of homes on the outskirts of Los Angeles.
Part of the Santa Susana Field Laboratory burned in the fire. The research site had a partial nuclear meltdown in 1959 that contaminated the soil and groundwater with radioactive particles and carcinogens.
State and federal officials do not believe toxic chemicals were released into the air as a result of the recent fire.
But some activists say the fire could very well have caused toxins to mix with the smoke and ash in the air.

https://www.businessinsider.com/california-wildfires-woolsey-fire-hit-nuclear-research-site-2018-11
 
California wildfire victims sue utility PG&E alleging negligence.

And ironically (or so I heard the last time around), customers' rates would go up to help pay the fine. That is one of the most unbelievable things I have ever heard – customers paying for their own settlement!
 

Asher Kelman

OPF Owner/Editor-in-Chief
The fines should be to the company directors!

When a poor kid steals his 3rd expensive TV set or car, it’s life imprisonment in California under the 3 strikes law.

If you wear a good suit, you don’t even get a slap on the wrist. The executives may even be responsible for some of the fire deaths!
 

Asher Kelman

OPF Owner/Editor-in-Chief
Over 600 folk missing. Some might have walked away and don’t know relatives are in anguish looking for them in hospitals and morgues.

Tens of thousands of structures are burnt to the ground.

Over 50 confirmed dead so far!

Asher
 

Asher Kelman

OPF Owner/Editor-in-Chief
Bodies now 79. Sadly, number of missing increasing, now to 1300!

But it should be decreasing, as folk are discovered in the various emergency evacuation centers for 300,000 people that had to escape!

To what extent this growing number represents the expected “fog of war” with folk disorientated and checking by the Red Cross incomplete, we do not know.

Still, to me it’s very discouraging to see the number of missing increase further!

Asher
 
Is there a universal website for disasters of all kinds (like 911 is for phones) where people can check in by leaving their name and status, and where relatives can search for them? That would be a huge help.
 

Asher Kelman

OPF Owner/Editor-in-Chief
So far, American Red Cross too busy to answer calls! Search under “California fire - missing persons clearing site” will generate great links, but the lists are of several days ago.

I will try to find a single clearing site if there is one!

Asher
 

James Lemon

Well-known member
Since Nov 08 2018 PG & E stock price has been cut in half but the company is being bailed out.

"Utilities in California face liability under what's known as inverse condemnation as well as for negligence claims for wildfire and other damaging incidents caused by utility equipment. There are already state regulations requiring strict vegetation management practices by utilities, and they include standards for keeping vegetation clear of power lines.

Fitch Ratings previously estimated PG&E could face upwards of $15 billion in financial exposure from October's wine country or North Bay wildfires given the state liability laws and scale of the disaster, which destroyed or damaged about 10,000 homes and resulted in 44 fatalities. The fires were in Mendocino, Butte, Humboldt, Sonoma, Lake and Napa counties"

https://www.cnbc.com/2018/09/12/california-governor-could-sign-bill-critics-have-dubbed-pge-bailout.html.

Best, regards
James
 

Asher Kelman

OPF Owner/Editor-in-Chief
If an energy provider goes bust, then what?

I am praying for Fission Power. Just another 10 years and the MIT model will be proven practical. I want Musk to buy it and then we’d have a chance for clean energy!

But transmission is the problem. Perhaps the cables should be built in his transportation tunnels!

The other thing is why can’t we have a bulletin proof sustainable Forrest management policy?

Asher
 

James Lemon

Well-known member
If an energy provider goes bust, then what?

Too big to fail" describes the concept whereby a business has become so large that a government will provide assistance to prevent its failure because not doing so would have a disastrous ripple effect throughout the economy. If a large company fails, companies that rely on it for portions of their income might also be extinguished along with the employment they provide. Therefore, if the cost of a bailout is less than the cost of the failure to the economy, a government may decide a bailout is the most cost-effective solution.

https://www.investopedia.com/terms/t/too-big-to-fail.asp


Best regards
James
 
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