web counter
  • Fire Department 101

    The LAFD is fast, not furious.

    The LAFD plays Speedy Gonzales. A car fire broke out Tuesday, October 20 at 5:27 on the east side of the LA River, opposite Griffith Park. According to Firefighter Richard Matheney, one engine responded and they knocked down the fire in 4 minutes. As usual, I’m curious. Why a car fire? It wasn’t a hot day. And why right next to the LA River? (the trees at the bottom of the photo are actually in the LA River.) There, see? I can say nice things about the LA Fire Department! This certainly did make a lot of smoke, but I saw 2 firefighters there almost immediately. For some reason, it…

  • People who don't know any better

    Response to a comment.

    Two commenters were enraged/enthusiastic enough to write even though I had not written anything myself in 2 months, and I thought I would reply right here. When Janet Venable wrote, it put me off writing for several more weeks… She said (edited for space, full text at link): As to your article, I find it very offensive. The Los Angeles Fire Department has been involved in fighting some wicked fires in the park when the winds change at a moments notice and what appears to be a small fire suddenly flares big and horrific becoming threateningly close to your home and all you love after jumping from peak to peak…

  • Forest Fire,  Important Stuff,  Meetings as Theatre

    Don’t yell out fire in uncrowded Griffith Park

    I can understand why homeowners have been nervous nellies about pointing fingers at the fire department, really I can. Who needs firemen most? Desperate housewives and homeowners. But the LA Fire Department did such a craptacular job in the recent Griffith Park fire that maybe it’s time for someone to point a finger. So I will. Photo by permission from losermike. He describes it as a compilation of several photographs. It has a foreboding look, and was how I felt about the fire. It did not entertain me. We saw the fire from the beginning, on the south slope of the Park near the 5. Actually, it was the sunlight…