Glad you are safe. I hadn't encountered the grossness. Ew. I've been thinking about the people and their homes, but also the place and the communities and the history and the sense of being part of something that gets destroyed when fires rage. The insurance question is a real one. I know State Farm has completely left California for home insurance, and every insurance company was in the throes of redoing their lists of acceptable properties based on the 2020 and 2021 fires here in Oregon. Rural folks here can't get their homes insured. It's all so unbearable. Sending love, whatever it's worth.
The insurance situation around the country is very problematic as you said. I understand that areas with any natural disasters are becoming problematic. Thankfully we are still insured with State Farm here in So Cal. But I know they canceled any policies that were risky and didn't open new ones. You remind me that I need to check if wildfires are covered. I would not be surprised if they categorized it as an "act of nature".
Thank you for the clarification. We had been looking for land in Oregon and backed out of a purchase after 35 insurers declined to insure near fire zones. The State Farm info was from State Farm so sounds like they weren't fully informed.
I am glad you are safe; I've been thinking about you and looking for your IG posts. One of my prayers from this disaster is that it might spur the entertainment and celebrity community to use their influence to push for more climate change initiatives and awareness. I feel so badly for all those people who have lost everything.
Kelly is okay but she hasn't had power in days and is very worried about the looting and her animals. I want her to come here but she can't with Archie in his current state and unable to travel. :(
Oh man! Now I understand the depths of dumps you were alluding to in your IG post. Long distance hugs to your hurting heart from my heart! You ARE the renaissance man in every aspect and I know you have it in you to reinvent yourself again and again! And every time you do, I’m in awe at your talent and resilience.
As a Sonoma County resident this brings back memories of the fires in 2017 that you mentioned, Same scenario with drought conditions and hurricane force winds. Fire and sheriffs had to focus on saving lives instead of dealing with fires. In the end, over 5000 homes destroyed. 40 plus lives lost. The embers would blow for miles and start new fires. It was a solid week of being ready to evacuate. The news is saying they’ve never seen anything like what is happening in LA - but we have seen it. In Sonoma County and Paradise, CA and Lahaina too. So heartbreaking and I’m with you Orlando. I hope that people will rebuild in LA, but if we have another big fire in my area, I would want to leave.
Glad you are safe, Orlando. I am far away from LA but also in an area that is often affected by wildfires. It is surreal to watch the destruction unfold from afar, and my mind reels at how quickly the situation went from bad to catastrophic. It is especially disheartening to know that in a matter of days we will have an administration that is devoid of empathy and that will add fuel to the (literal) fire of climate change rather than harnessing our country’s vast financial and intellectual resources to make our planet more livable for all. Love to all the folks and other creatures impacted by the devastation ♥️
I’m so sorry, I hadn’t realized you had moved out of LA earlier this month, Orlando. I’ve had a rough month myself and have been off here more. I am so concerned for everyone who lost homes, businesses, whose very livelihood will be impacted by all this destruction, fires are horrific. It’s so heartbreaking to see and hear about. Sending so much love to all in Southern California!
I agree with everything you wrote so eloquently. It’s so sad all the way around. In addition to the horrendous human issues, I am also mourning the loss of all the gorgeous historic buildings/homes/institutions…. It’s unfathomable. And 1000%, the powers that be in the industry need to support LA. Additionally, the state government must step up now . It is urgent that the state invest in LA and get Hollywood back to work with tax breaks way larger than the other states trying and succeeding in leering Hollywood out of Hollywood. Let “Hollywood” and everyone that it employs rise like a phoenix .
Glad you are safe. I hadn't encountered the grossness. Ew. I've been thinking about the people and their homes, but also the place and the communities and the history and the sense of being part of something that gets destroyed when fires rage. The insurance question is a real one. I know State Farm has completely left California for home insurance, and every insurance company was in the throes of redoing their lists of acceptable properties based on the 2020 and 2021 fires here in Oregon. Rural folks here can't get their homes insured. It's all so unbearable. Sending love, whatever it's worth.
The insurance situation around the country is very problematic as you said. I understand that areas with any natural disasters are becoming problematic. Thankfully we are still insured with State Farm here in So Cal. But I know they canceled any policies that were risky and didn't open new ones. You remind me that I need to check if wildfires are covered. I would not be surprised if they categorized it as an "act of nature".
Thank you for the clarification. We had been looking for land in Oregon and backed out of a purchase after 35 insurers declined to insure near fire zones. The State Farm info was from State Farm so sounds like they weren't fully informed.
I am glad you are safe; I've been thinking about you and looking for your IG posts. One of my prayers from this disaster is that it might spur the entertainment and celebrity community to use their influence to push for more climate change initiatives and awareness. I feel so badly for all those people who have lost everything.
Beautiful essay as always. Glad you were safely away before the fires started, but sorry your exit was fraught. Wishing you better times ahead.
Thank you for this piece.
Heartbreaking, gut wrenching, and as always, on point.
(Also… sorry to ask here, don’t know where else to ask… querida, is Kelly (and fam) ok?! 🥺)
Kelly is okay but she hasn't had power in days and is very worried about the looting and her animals. I want her to come here but she can't with Archie in his current state and unable to travel. :(
Urgh omg 😞😮💨🙏
Oh man! Now I understand the depths of dumps you were alluding to in your IG post. Long distance hugs to your hurting heart from my heart! You ARE the renaissance man in every aspect and I know you have it in you to reinvent yourself again and again! And every time you do, I’m in awe at your talent and resilience.
Your essay voiced my own feelings about living in such a beautiful place that also had the potential to be so deadly.
As a Sonoma County resident this brings back memories of the fires in 2017 that you mentioned, Same scenario with drought conditions and hurricane force winds. Fire and sheriffs had to focus on saving lives instead of dealing with fires. In the end, over 5000 homes destroyed. 40 plus lives lost. The embers would blow for miles and start new fires. It was a solid week of being ready to evacuate. The news is saying they’ve never seen anything like what is happening in LA - but we have seen it. In Sonoma County and Paradise, CA and Lahaina too. So heartbreaking and I’m with you Orlando. I hope that people will rebuild in LA, but if we have another big fire in my area, I would want to leave.
Glad you are safe, Orlando. I am far away from LA but also in an area that is often affected by wildfires. It is surreal to watch the destruction unfold from afar, and my mind reels at how quickly the situation went from bad to catastrophic. It is especially disheartening to know that in a matter of days we will have an administration that is devoid of empathy and that will add fuel to the (literal) fire of climate change rather than harnessing our country’s vast financial and intellectual resources to make our planet more livable for all. Love to all the folks and other creatures impacted by the devastation ♥️
Oh I'm so glad you are safe. This is devastating!
I’m so sorry, I hadn’t realized you had moved out of LA earlier this month, Orlando. I’ve had a rough month myself and have been off here more. I am so concerned for everyone who lost homes, businesses, whose very livelihood will be impacted by all this destruction, fires are horrific. It’s so heartbreaking to see and hear about. Sending so much love to all in Southern California!
I agree with everything you wrote so eloquently. It’s so sad all the way around. In addition to the horrendous human issues, I am also mourning the loss of all the gorgeous historic buildings/homes/institutions…. It’s unfathomable. And 1000%, the powers that be in the industry need to support LA. Additionally, the state government must step up now . It is urgent that the state invest in LA and get Hollywood back to work with tax breaks way larger than the other states trying and succeeding in leering Hollywood out of Hollywood. Let “Hollywood” and everyone that it employs rise like a phoenix .