California's Fires

[Popps]

Can California's wildfires really get any worse? They say that this year, it will be worse than ever. It seems like every area gets worse natural disasters each year. You are not safe anywhere....

[L-1]

I've seen worse in the past.

A recommendation to those who work traffic and perimeter control for the fires -

No doubt you inhale a lot of smoke while working such details albeit mild and diluted amounts. In reality you have no idea what toxic substances have burned or what you are inhaling.

Personnel from my agency who work such details and have smoke exposure routinely file a workers comp report of injury citing toxic smoke inhalation but have their supervisor mark the report "Information Only". (Unless they are having respiratory problems at the time they do not go to the doctor and the report is not sent to State Fund to open a claim.) One copy of the report is then placed in their personnel file and they keep a copy for themselves at home.

This way if they develop serious respiratory problems years down the line after working several fires they will have documented their exposures to inhalation hazards and substantiated a work relationship when they file a workers comp claim.

[ateamer]

Can California's wildfires really get any worse? They say that this year, it will be worse than ever. It seems like every area gets worse natural disasters each year. You are not safe anywhere....

Yeah, it could get way worse than it is now. Look at the fires back around 2007-2008, or the Oakland hills fire in the 80s.

Not safe? Hmmm, we live in a state with majpr earthquake faults, with an arid climate and heavy vegetation, along with houses tucked in everywhere, like steep hillsides with chaparall growing right up to and over the roof or on ocean cliffs with barren steep hillsides right above. Yeah, no recipe for disaster there.

But you know what? Everywhere has its risks. Live in the south midwest and it's tornadoes. The southeast coast, hurricanes. Most of the country, blizzards and ice storms. Hawaii, sunburn. Ya pays yer money, ya takes yer chances.

[RGDS]

You clearly do not live in California, and if by chance you do, you are new.. Like infant new.

There are fires every year. My colleagues demonstrated that fires can be AND have been worse. Our state invented ICS... You know that system the Feds stole to create NIMS. Life is precious and danger is everywhere, but there are reasons California has the most people in a State in the USA. It is pretty decent here.

[LA DEP]

Compared to some of the fires in the 90s, these from last week are nothing.

This fire season is going to be interesting to say the least

[chiefjack]

I've seen worse in the past.

A recommendation to those who work traffic and perimeter control for the fires -

No doubt you inhale a lot of smoke while working such details albeit mild and diluted amounts. In reality you have no idea what toxic substances have burned or what you are inhaling.

Personnel from my agency who work such details and have smoke exposure routinely file a workers comp report of injury citing toxic smoke inhalation but have their supervisor mark the report "Information Only". (Unless they are having respiratory problems at the time they do not go to the doctor and the report is not sent to State Fund to open a claim.) One copy of the report is then placed in their personnel file and they keep a copy for themselves at home.

This way if they develop serious respiratory problems years down the line after working several fires they will have documented their exposures to inhalation hazards and substantiated a work relationship when they file a workers comp claim.

Outstanding recommendation!!! A little bit of smoke and soot accumulated here and there over your career can leave you with lung problems, cancer, heart problems and all kinds of really bad ****. Keeping a paper trail can make the difference between getting medical care and not, even though the Labor Code has the "Presumptive" clauses in it.

[foodnerd]

Makes me sick how many are caused by POS morons whether out of stupidity or intentional.