Anyone know what the likelihood of any of us getting work from the wildfire in CA? How big will it have to get?

Just curious.

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!