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Don't hold your breath waiting on a call for a fire like this.

I have been working claims in California for 16 years, and handled a number of fires that hammer multiple structures - and it's just not usually a Cat type situation because there aren't that many structures that are insured by one single carrier to bring out a cat team.

Most of these houses get looked at by the staff adjuster for Allstate, State Farm, Farmers, USAA, etc. and there just aren't that many for a single carrier to need outside help.

Edit 4 days later: 1,500 homes destroyed so far - this is more than "hundreds"  
(see pg 6 of this thread for my tips on scoping fire claims)

This is a grim situation, but will not require, in my opinion, cat adjusters. Homes and businesses are being burned to the ground. That does not require an adjuster, just a huge check book. I am sure the companies will handle BI within their offices. Don't get your hopes up to go to California. I was raised very near where the fires in Malibu are right now.

I know the area well and if the fires are not controlled very soon, we will see structure fire storms and thousands of homes could be burned to the ground. I have a lot of empathy for those folks right now. The are truly in danger, not only of the fires, but the smoke inhalation problem. Hopefully the Santa Anna winds will cease soon, as that is the problem. 70 to 100 mph winds are spreading the hot coals (embers) to other areas. This is a very dangerous situation.

San Diego is also having their problems. Hundreds of homes on fire and not enough fire department personel to go to them. Lets all pray that the winds will cease and that the fire heroes can gain control of this very dangerous situation.

Tom,

Hopefully the winds will die down. I'm sure it is devastating to all involved. I was just curious about the cat part of it. I hadn't heard anyone really mention working large fires.

Anyone think this is arson? I'm beginning to think so.

This is not arson. This is hurricane force winds blowing down electric lines that shorted and caught brush on fire. California has been very dry for several years, this allowing this type of calamity. It is getting worse and worse, as the winds are blowing very hard today. I fear this is going to be one of the worst California fires in history, hope not, but fear it is.

Many years ago I flew fire patrol in my Cessna Skylane in central to northern Arkansas. I had a spotter in the right seat and anytime we spotted smoke, we firewalled the Skylane to get to the sight to determine intensity and size of the fire. Of course this would not have been possible in CA due to the Santa Ana winds. I was watching CNN this afternoon and saw a video taken from a chopper of a twin engine fire bomber that was flying tree top level and dropped his load on the fire, which completed extenguished it. These guys have nerves of steel to do that kind of flying, as it is very, very dangerous to do. Heat updrafts and mountain downdrafts can take a plane down in a second, if you don't know what your doing.

Many old Convairs, DC-6 and DC-7's were converted for air bombers and are still in use. The future looks good for the Russion designed Beriev Be-200, twin jet water bomber to be introduced here in the states. It can scoop water from the ocean or lakes up to 12 tons of water in 14 seconds, become airborne and fly to the fire sight and drop 12 tons of water on the fires. I am in hopes that it gets certification and can be put to use here in the states next year.

Tom,

Remember the Oakland fires a few years back? I can't remember if it was human intervention or not but the sad thing was for years Oakland County had wanted to cut the brush to decrease the fire load capacity. The PC's there fought the county for years as they said it would ruin the asthetic views. Well guess who was screeming the loudest when the fires were attacking their houses?

After the fires were extinguished and grass started to grow again the county bought a bunch of goats and put them under the control of the county fire department. Word got out to the PC's that these goats were civil servants just like police dogs and if anyone messed with them they could be facing felony charges. The goats grazed in peace and I cannot recall any major fires in that area since.

Yes, I do Rocke. It seems aesthetics in CA is also causing water shortages. Those folks need to wake up to reality. Dry grass is a fire waiting to happen. That was a good idea to graze animals to control dry grass, too bad they didn't do it in the areas that are now on fire and in ruin. I know there are several southern states that are having to go on water rationing due to lack of rain. They also will be prone to this type fire if they don't watch what they are doing. I like green grass too, but not a priority to me if lack of water it creating a fire hazard.

If you have fires going into places like this...a select few might see some work outta this!

No, with all due respect Tom, there is always some arson when there this many fires. From the Orange County Register (www.OCregister.com) :

The Santiago Fire was deliberately set in three areas next to the 241 toll road about 6 p.m. Sunday, and it grew quickly, fueled by dense vegetation and fierce Santa Ana winds, fire investigators said.

The nutjobs always come out of the woodwork at times like this.  There are nine major fires right now according to the papers.

I have about 3 claims, maybe more will come. Mine are wind, not fire.

If anybody is coming out here to do claims I will try to help hook you up anyway I can except getting you the actual job. (I don't have that kind of pull).

And I will bet you that those PCer's will be up in arms when they blame the Goats for attracting Coyotes, Bobcats, and Mountain Lions into the area and their pets start disappearing. Then when someone comes in to remove or reduce the population of those animals the PCer's will be up in arms again. The cycle will never die with those PCer's.

Tom,

Great picture, I love to see those planes in action although I know how dangerous the fires and the job they and others perform are.

Leland, I certainly would not argue with you about that. The initial fire was reported as being caused by downed power lines as a result of the wind. I agree we have nut cases all over this country that have no respect for property or life. I have no doubt that many of the fires were intentionally set after the initial fire started. Hope they find out who did it and string em up.

Leland or Bob,

Do either one of you have the site or have a copy of the California State Farm H0-3 and Commercial Lines policy?

Thanks

Found on the Web FP-7955 CA (6-96) & Endorsements FE-5363. Is this the policy that will be worked with?

I suspect Bob is correct. State Farm has a Natcat team that has been idle for a long time. Unless the fire destroys more homes and businesses, I doubt the Farm will be calling for help. Some other carriers may need help, but not the Farm, Farmers, or Allstate. Hopefully some of us can find some work there, as we sure the heck need it. This has been a very bad two years for many adjusters, including Janice and I.

We have a tremendous amount of empathy and sadness for those in CA who are losing their homes and personal property. Let us pray that no more lives will be lost in this disaster and that the kooks don't start more fires.