Southern California Fires Affecting Battle at the Border

[Zyik]

A little off topic, but...

Does anyone know if the fires effect the Northridge Workshop? Don't want to go down there just to get in the way...

[Nica F.]

I live in Northridge and about 5 minutes from CSUN, and we're pretty clear from the fire, I would just expect traffic. I haven't heard about them canceling the CSUN Workshops, lets just hope things get better for the rest of California instead of worse.

[Uberbots]

Didnt they say that a couple of these fires were attributed to an arson?

[EricH]

Originally Posted by Uberbots

Didnt they say that a couple of these fires were attributed to an arson?

Santiago Fire (Orange County) for sure. They suspect that more were arson, but I can't remember which ones. The cops busted a couple guys who were suspected of arson or attempted arson, though.

[Elgin Clock]

Originally Posted by EricH

Santiago Fire (Orange County) for sure. They suspect that more were arson, but I can't remember which ones. The cops busted a couple guys who were suspected of arson or attempted arson, though.

I tell you, the stupidity of some people.. Their lame action has cause millions (if not billions) of dollars in damage so far. And the worst part is even if they get convicted, that won't help the people who lost everything (even if they were told to pay them back in a monetary form).
How could anyone possibly pay back that much? ::sigh::

Makes me just want to punch the people who started it.
Not very GP, and it wouldn't solve anything or be effective in any way possible, I realize that...but...aye... sometimes...
::voice trails off::

[Cory]

Originally Posted by Elgin Clock

I tell you, the stupidity of some people.. Their lame action has cause millions (if not billions) of dollars in damage so far. And the worst part is even if they get convicted, that won't help the people who lost everything (even if they were told to pay them back in a monetary form).
How could anyone possibly pay back that much? ::sigh::

Makes me just want to punch the people who started it.
Not very GP, and it wouldn't solve anything or be effective in any way possible, I realize that...but...aye... sometimes...
::voice trails off::

I'm not sure if insurance policies differentiate between wildfires and regular fires, but I imagine most people down there are covered through their insurance.

Clearly that's not much of a reassurance for people who have lost everything though. Even if they dont have to pay for their houses to be rebuilt, you can't put a value on memories and things that were important to you that were destroyed in the fire.

Unfortunately these fires will always be a way of life in California, even without arsonists. We can only pray that we manage to keep them from destroying anymore homes.

[KathieK]

From the FIRST website today:

To our friends in California,

Our thoughts and prayers are with the FIRST community and all affected by the fires in Southern California. We are attempting to contact our teams and Partners in the area, and would appreciate hearing from anyone who has news regarding any member of the FIRST Community. Please call us at 800.871.8326 ext: 0.

Sincerely,

Paul Gudonis,
FIRST President, and the entire FIRST Staff

[JaneYoung]

Originally Posted by Elgin Clock

I tell you, the stupidity of some people.. Their lame action has cause millions (if not billions) of dollars in damage so far. And the worst part is even if they get convicted, that won't help the people who lost everything (even if they were told to pay them back in a monetary form).
How could anyone possibly pay back that much? ::sigh::

Makes me just want to punch the people who started it.
Not very GP, and it wouldn't solve anything or be effective in any way possible, I realize that...but...aye... sometimes...
::voice trails off::

We speak often of impact. Of how one person can make a difference.
This is evidence of that. In a negative way. The 'lame action' taken has caused much of this heartache, devastation, and expense.

Impact, attitude, respect for others, and self respect/self control - these aren't hollow principles or empty words. They are very real.

[Libby K]

My best goes out to everyone affected. Hope you're all doing well, and keep us here on CD in the know! We're praying for you.

[Jeff K.]

I heard only two were caused by arsons, the car fire and other ones were accidental, and the rest were just nature. It's good they are getting a handle on the fires now, with conditions improving. The Malibu and Santa Clarita fire around us are pretty much out. The wind changed direction though, bringing all the smoke over our school.

Doing anything to the arsons now though won't really do anything. It's like when teenagers get killed in a car accident, the families of the passengers sue those of the driver, as if money will bring back their child...

[eugenebrooks]

There is evidence that some of the Southern California fires have been caused by arson, a serious crime. In California, arson resulting in death is a capital crime. A number of people have been caught for starting fires, and others are being investigated. These people deserve no more, and no less, than the full measure of the law applied in their individual cases.

Eugene

[EricH]

Originally Posted by eugenebrooks

A number of people have been caught for starting fires, and others are being investigated. These people deserve no more, and no less, than the full measure of the law applied in their individual cases.

Caught...or shot. A few days ago, officers stopped a guy for suspicion of starting a fire/attmpting to start one. He backed his car into a cruiser. An officer opened fire. The man was killed. I'm not sure why he was shot at.

On a lighter note, the firefighters are starting to make progress in a big way, but they still have a long ways to go.

[indieFan]

Once a person uses a car to move towards a police officer, it is deemed to be the use of a "weapon". Depending on the severity of how he actually hit the cruiser, and whether he clearly intended to continue moving, the officer(s) could have believed that their lives were endangered.

indieFan

[Jon Jack]

George,

Thanks for leaving the money to be donated. We will make sure it gets in good hands.

The future of Battle at the Border is certain... The event would have gone on had there not been a major natural disaster. When we met last Tuesday about canceling the event we also decided that we will have the event next year around the same time, maybe a little earlier. Hopefully we'll have details posted sometime around Championships.

As for the cause of some of the fires down here in San Diego. The biggest fire the 'Witch (Creek) Fire' was started by two transmission lines touching and arcing over a field of dry brush. The 'Rice Fire' started by a house fire burning out of control because most of the fire fighters in the county were fighting the wild fires. I believe one or two of the other fires were started by arson, but I'm not positive.