This is in the NH winter.

https://www.nytimes.com/live/2025/01/08/us/california-wildfire-la-palisades


Quote:

Scramble to Fight Fires With Strained Resources At least two people were killed, and tens of thousands were under mandatory evacuation orders as multiple blazes raged out of control. Gusty winds hindered firefighting efforts, and officials warned of scarce water supply.

Today, President Biden has approved a Major Disaster declaration for California, allowing impacted communities and survivors to immediately access funds and resources to jumpstart their recovery.

Additionally, FEMA has approved Fire Management Assistance Grants to reimburse California for firefighting costs last night.

Actor James Woods joined the growing chorus of public criticism against Los Angeles Fire Department Chief Kristin Crowley for her handling of the out-of-control wildfires in Pacific Palisades and other portions of the county, noting her stated priority of promoting DEI within the department.

James Woods, who said he has evacuated his home, called out Crowley in a series of X posts.

“Refilling the water reservoirs would have been a welcome priority, too, but I guess she had too much on her plate promoting diversity,” the actor wrote.He included a screenshot of Crowley’s bio on the LAFD’s official site that states her priority for “creating, supporting, and promoting a culture of diversity, inclusion, and equity” — or DEI.

Crowley was heralded by the left as the department’s first  LGBT and female chief in 2022.
Woods also blasted the left’s knee-jerk attempt to blame California’s persistent wildfires on climate change, noting that the Democrat-controlled state is being mismanaged especially when it comes to water reservoirs.

Former L.A. mayoral candidate Rick Caruso claimed Wednesday that the Pacific Palisades area has no water coming out of its hydrants, accusing the local government of mismanaging resources like a “third-world country.”

Nothing like US entertainment celebrities to be affected by a disaster to give the issues a voice.

Fun fact:

Many of the forest fire crew are prison inmates.  :o  Very poorly paid and after serving, they are NOT eligible to join the fire departments after their time is up. This seems very unfair.   :(

In 2005, at the peak of the inmate firefighter program, officially known as the Conservation (Fire) Camp Program, there were 192 crews, or 4,250 inmate firefighters, according to the state corrections department. Participants of the program include support staff such as cooks, orderlies and maintenance workers. Four years ago, as prisons shut down and inmate populations declined, the corrections department winnowed the camps down to 1,821 participants. As of July 2, there were about 83 hand crews, or 1,760 participants.

Depending on the year, inmate fire crews account for as much as 30% of the state’s wildfire force and are typically paid $5.80 to $10.24 per day by the corrections department, earning an additional dollar per hour from Cal Fire when responding to a disaster. Inmate fire crews are made up of 12 to 17 firefighters, led by a fire captain. Inmates who have been convicted of violent crimes, such as rape, lewd acts with a child under 14 or any felony punishable by death or life in prison, or who have a history of escaping or arson, are automatically disqualified.

In a letter to Gov. Gavin Newsom on June 21, Los Angeles County Supervisors Lindsey Horvath and Kathryn Barger voiced concerns about deeper cuts to the program that would’ve shuttered five camps in the county, affecting more than 200 inmate firefighters.

https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2024-07-09/california-inmate-firefighter-crew-size

Frank wrote on Jan 9^th, 2025 at 10:20am:

Actor James Woods joined the growing chorus of public criticism against Los Angeles Fire Department Chief Kristin Crowley for her handling of the out-of-control wildfires in Pacific Palisades and other portions of the county, noting her stated priority of promoting DEI within the department. James Woods, who said he has evacuated his home, called out Crowley in a series of X posts. “Refilling the water reservoirs would have been a welcome priority, too, but I guess she had too much on her plate promoting diversity,” the actor wrote.He included a screenshot of Crowley’s bio on the LAFD’s official site that states her priority for “creating, supporting, and promoting a culture of diversity, inclusion, and equity” — or DEI. Crowley was heralded by the left as the department’s first  LGBT and female chief in 2022. Woods also blasted the left’s knee-jerk attempt to blame California’s persistent wildfires on climate change, noting that the Democrat-controlled state is being mismanaged especially when it comes to water reservoirs. Former L.A. mayoral candidate Rick Caruso claimed Wednesday that the Pacific Palisades area has no water coming out of its hydrants, accusing the local government of mismanaging resources like a “third-world country.”

Delusional B-Grade actor who wouldn't know his ass from his elbow.

Captain Nemo wrote on Jan 9^th, 2025 at 10:42am:

Fun fact: Many of the forest fire crew are prison inmates.  :o  Very poorly paid and after serving, they are NOT eligible to join the fire departments after their time is up. This seems very unfair.

Americans can 'thank' the 13th Amendment for that.

Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction

The slavery of convicts is effectively legal in the US, in that it is not unconstitutional.

Sound familiar?