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Scarred landscape
NASA image 18 November 2008 |
October is the season for wildfires and as with previous years’ fires, such as 2007, the impetus for the
current fires was the onset of the Santa Ana Winds, warm temperatures (between 90 to 94 degrees) and low humidity.
See also Wildfires In California - October 2007
13 November 2008
Coined "The Tea Fire", a fire began in Santa Barbara county near Montecito and burnt a total of 1,940 acres, destroying at least 210 residences and damaging nine residences. Significant damage occurred to Westmont College with at least four college buildings significantly damaged or lost, and another 12 faculty houses were destroyed.
14 November 2008
The Sayre Fire began in Los Angeles County in Sylmare and is the most damaging fire to date, having burnt 11,207 acres and destroyed around 615 structures to date.
The damage to the Oakridge Mobile Home Park, where modular homes were destroyed has led California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger to call for changes in building codes.
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NASA image courtesy the MODIS Rapid
Response Team 16 November 2008 |
15 November 2008
Called ‘The Freeway Complex Fire’, this fire commenced in Riverside
County spreading to Orange County, and has burnt a total of 28,889 acres but only some 151 residences.
Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger proclaimed a state of emergency for Orange County and Riverside County.
Governor Schwarzenegger also proclaimed a state of emergency in Los Angeles County as a result of the Sayre Fire.
17 November 2008
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Nasa Satellite image over Southern
California 16 November 2008 |
Governor Schwarzenegger proclaimed a state of emergency in San Bernardino County as a result of The Freeway Fire which had burned over 28,000 acres, damaged or destroyed over 160 homes and required mandatory evacuations and road closures.
19 November 2008
As at 19 November 2008, two of three wildfires were reported as contained with the third close to being contained. The fires have destroyed around 1,000 homes and 42,000 acres land according to Insurance Journal.
Authorities have indicated the San Bernardino fire, which destroyed some 200 homes and 785 hectares of land, may have accidentally been caused by a group of college students.
20 November 2008
California Insurance Commissioner Steve Poizner announced an insurance emergency earlier this week, which allowed out of state adjusters to assist with the insurance claims. Commissioner Poizner advised 332 emergency insurance adjusters have been registered with the Department of Insurance to expedite the processing of insurance claims.
Author
Claim Solutions Pty Ltd.
Insurance Policy
Country: - USA
Policy Description: - Largely residential, some business, motor vehicle and personal lines
Insurer: - ALL
External Links
Office of Governor of the State of California
California Department of Insurance
Insurance Journal
