barkflight

IJNR: Eyes in the sky, learning on the ground Aboard a copter and some rickety vehicles, more than a dozen journalists hear from the wildfire experts across Southern California

I wrote a short piece detailing my week learning about wildfires from experts across Southern California with 14 other journalists. This was a somber experience amid so much loss.

firehasnoseason.substack.com/p/ijnr-eyes-...

Spam text about paying EZ Pass balance. I responded to it by pasting in texts from the Hereth group chat

This is already coming in handy

I would break no fewer than four bones if I tried to ride one of those scooters. No thanks.

Also, yes, I know I don't post here much. I have an awful habit of neglecting platforms outside of X/Twitter/whatever it is now. I will try to do better.

I have a new blog coming out since I lost my previous site in a hosting snafu. Working on the first post now. This entry may have something to do with my trip with @ijnr.bsky.social earlier this month.

Also, did you know giant tour buses can go off road?

Word choice

[Actually Grok AI is pretty useful in fact checking.]

- FB comment

As the kids say, we are so cooked.

Now that DOGE has entered FEMA, I’d like to say something about the importance of alerts and warnings. FEMA has a group called IPAWS, the Integrated Public Alert and Warning System, which is responsible for making sure you get warnings though all sorts of devices, basically for free. 1/

www.insidehighered.com/news/governm...

Good point

Hopefully February brings us more storms like the one expected next week. Otherwise, we will really need a March Miracle.

But not too much at once, OK? Burn scars need to rest and heal.

More than $6 Million in Support of Climate Journalism

SEJ has been awarded a $500,000 grant from the MacArthur Foundation to strengthen climate journalism across North America! This grant is part of MacArthur’s $6 million investment in independent newsrooms and organizations dedicated to environmental reporting.

www.macfound.org/press/press-...

Apparently there is not, after what we’ve had recently

I wouldn't have even ended up doing half of what I do were it not for you teaching me things.

My agent is more important than I am. Also, I don't have an agent.

This

What’s with playing some Trump statement at halftime of the CFP title game? So weird.

AAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

YouTube video by Nocturnal Soundscapes Dramatic Cello Music for Peaceful Solitude

General mood

youtu.be/gGljJfnI7KU?...

Thank you, Kelpie

"New fires in wind-prone areas may be uncontrollable this afternoon through Tuesday morning. High winds will likely reduce or eliminate aircraft capability. Long range spotting will render retardant and control lines ineffective ..."

— South Ops

Useful as things pick up today:

South Ops weather snooper (filtered, red flag and near-red flag stations):

www.weather.gov/lox/fwmV3?ga...

State media. Sad times.

As PR stunts go, I suppose that one was effective for some people.

Blotch of orange on a map behind Encininatas indicating power will be shut off probably due to wind

83609 customers potentially affected per long list of communities on PSPS site

San Diego also has PSPS (Public Safety Power Shutoff) warnings as of 1/19/2025.

https://www.sdge.com/psps-dashboard

#wildfires #CAwx #PSPS #poweroutages #firewx

I'd like him to name three "foolish policy decisions" here. Just for an exercise.

37 of 48 years here in SoCal

No, this isn't normal.

To those claiming "This is normal for SoCal! It's always like this! There are always offshore winds in January! Vegetation dryness is irrelevant!", please reconsider your misinformation. This is intel intended directly for wildland fire personnel. #CAfire #CAwx #LAfires

You can’t. It is attached to you for eternity. It IS you.

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