Played as a kid on Venice Beach, had a string of Auto Parts Stores, sold them and did a cruise business on his sailboat for years.. The point is, this guy spent 70+ years right THERE. He said wildfires are a dead bang certainty. he said they have them every year during the Santa Ana Winds some years are worse than others. Saiud Pacific Palisades burns EVERY single year. The difference THIS year, according to him, is historically high SA Winds, shortage of firefighters, and NO water in hydrents. He said he talked to a guy he knew (grew up with the guys dad) out there. He was sitting in a firehouse while they talked..Dude said he hadn't been out for a couple of days, because they didn't have firefighters to man a hook and ladder truck (he was the front end driver). Dude said..budget cuts cost them firefighters and equipment both..THEN to get to a fire and not have water.... My friend said that it sounded like someone describing the apocalypse!