Starting last year, the governor “fast-tracked” land, now totaling nearly 100,000 acres, for fire management. So far, state-approved groups have completed projects covering less than 1 percent.
If only we could use the CA state government to protect the species known as the white-faced humanus frustratus? I hear their population is declining in some areas of CA which, if I recall, is the criteria by which one places a species on the endangered list. Just saying something no less silly than the bureaucrats in CA. 🤷♂️
This isn’t about protecting trees. California’s policies endanger forests, as well as people, as fuel loads are the main driver in pushing wildfires into the crown, which are catastrophic for many trees that would easily withstand an errant fire under low fuel conditions. Many trees in Big Basin could not be saved a couple years ago, when multiple infernos tore through the Santa Cruz mountains and threatened Santa Cruz itself.
Much of the bureaucratic obstacles to mitigation efforts, like prescribed burns, are there to protect the misconceptions under which much of the bureaucrats and citizens labor about climate change, fire and forest management.
People now believe climate change is the primary driver for fires and that carbon sequestration, even in accumulated underbrush, is preferable to “releasing CO2” via burning, which is far less labor intensive than the now much ballyhooed mechanical thinning, which doesn’t mitigate insect activity, fungal diseases, invasive species or nuisance plants, such as poison oak.
Even mechanical thinning is assiduously avoided, in some places banned by bylaws, by many citizens outside their defensible space bubble, because “rewilding”. Rewilding is a whole other absurd term, imho, for neglecting forest and chaparral management, which has become de rigueur among a certain set.
Many also fear even the slightest hint of a controlled small fire, even during the wet season, as they believe the fires that consume acres across California every year are also caused by unattended campfires or arson.
A campfire is a good analogy here. How does one build one? Tinder and a spark are for sure necessary, but without adequate kindling, you will never light a sizable log, certainly not one with unsplit bark. Forests with largely clear floors and mature trees would not sustain such fires.
Other reasons given for suppressing prescribed burns are buzzwords like “air quality”. How the nuisance of the occasional smoke from such maintenance came to be considered more serious than preventing infernos that incinerate not only people, their pets and their homes, but also forests and wildlife, is beyond me.
I can assure you that if caught in a forest during a crown fire, the air quality, though abysmal, will not be a primary concern for you, nor will most trees be “saved”.
Many years ago when we lived in California, our town used to clear out the dry 10-12 foot high brush in our canyon every year. Then they stopped. No one knows why. Then the big fires in Napa and Sonoma happened. And we all thought it would be a good idea for the town to resume clearing the canyon. After all, we were the taxpayers who paid the city employees. So…when these employees suggested giving themselves a big raise, some of us went to city hall and suggested that it would be wise to avoid a big fire that would burn out the people who paid the bills. The result: they voted for the raise and did nothing about the canyon. The next result: my husband and I moved to Tennessee.
Good stuff to keep front and center. Thank you! What surprises me most is how the state residents pay no heed to this situation when the day is almost here that none of them will be able to purchase insurance for fire loss. Same as for all their other problems: Is it Newsom who is responsible or is it the voters who elected him. We put all the focus on the idiot when the focus should be put on the idiots who did the electing.
In another day and age, politicians would have resigned in embarrassment and shame. The Newsom‘s of this country feel no such thing and go on their merry way without repercussions. Are they so powerful and so bewitched the party that protects them that no consequences other than indignation ever come about?
Governor nuisance is an ideological imbecile and he’s arrogant. He’s incompetent. He is the failure of policy and programs. His face should be in Webster’s dictionary under failure as a prime example.
.....and yet, Californians will continue to vote DEMOCRAT, further destroying their cities, like San Francisco and LA, already are, making it more of a one party communist state, allowing for FRAUD, more FOREIGNERS and CHEATING because in my opinion, they are very stupid people.
Shawn: "The fundamental role of government is to ensure the physical safety of its people".
You are correct. Unfortunately, the role of the *political party* is to ensure the authority, control, and existence of the party - to the detriment of everything else.
You are doing God’s work, Christopher. Keep it up.
Without your support this reporting wouldn't be possible. Thank you!
Newsom broke a promise? Must be a day ending in Y.
For comparison, the process takes a few months in Florida. Here's the details:
Firewise USA Recognition (community wildfire preparedness program):
1. Form a committee, complete a risk assessment, create an action plan, and perform risk-reduction work (e.g., defensible space).
2. Submit application via the national Firewise portal; Florida Forest Service reviews as state liaison.
Annual renewal required for ongoing recognition.
Timeline: Variable; planning and implementation can take months, with approval relatively quick once criteria are met.
Florida once again proving that California's decline is a policy choice.
If only we could use the CA state government to protect the species known as the white-faced humanus frustratus? I hear their population is declining in some areas of CA which, if I recall, is the criteria by which one places a species on the endangered list. Just saying something no less silly than the bureaucrats in CA. 🤷♂️
This is what happens when protecting trees takes precedence over protecting lives as a public policy
Good fire policy protects forests too. California's bureaucracy is protecting itself. To move faster, fewer steps and fewer people are needed.
This isn’t about protecting trees. California’s policies endanger forests, as well as people, as fuel loads are the main driver in pushing wildfires into the crown, which are catastrophic for many trees that would easily withstand an errant fire under low fuel conditions. Many trees in Big Basin could not be saved a couple years ago, when multiple infernos tore through the Santa Cruz mountains and threatened Santa Cruz itself.
Much of the bureaucratic obstacles to mitigation efforts, like prescribed burns, are there to protect the misconceptions under which much of the bureaucrats and citizens labor about climate change, fire and forest management.
People now believe climate change is the primary driver for fires and that carbon sequestration, even in accumulated underbrush, is preferable to “releasing CO2” via burning, which is far less labor intensive than the now much ballyhooed mechanical thinning, which doesn’t mitigate insect activity, fungal diseases, invasive species or nuisance plants, such as poison oak.
Even mechanical thinning is assiduously avoided, in some places banned by bylaws, by many citizens outside their defensible space bubble, because “rewilding”. Rewilding is a whole other absurd term, imho, for neglecting forest and chaparral management, which has become de rigueur among a certain set.
Many also fear even the slightest hint of a controlled small fire, even during the wet season, as they believe the fires that consume acres across California every year are also caused by unattended campfires or arson.
A campfire is a good analogy here. How does one build one? Tinder and a spark are for sure necessary, but without adequate kindling, you will never light a sizable log, certainly not one with unsplit bark. Forests with largely clear floors and mature trees would not sustain such fires.
Other reasons given for suppressing prescribed burns are buzzwords like “air quality”. How the nuisance of the occasional smoke from such maintenance came to be considered more serious than preventing infernos that incinerate not only people, their pets and their homes, but also forests and wildlife, is beyond me.
I can assure you that if caught in a forest during a crown fire, the air quality, though abysmal, will not be a primary concern for you, nor will most trees be “saved”.
DJT stood face to face with Newsome in 2019, in a Patch of California redwood, and Trump told him what he needed to do to protect his state.
You think he’d listen. NOOOO……….
Like all liberal leaning leftists TDS!!!!
Many years ago when we lived in California, our town used to clear out the dry 10-12 foot high brush in our canyon every year. Then they stopped. No one knows why. Then the big fires in Napa and Sonoma happened. And we all thought it would be a good idea for the town to resume clearing the canyon. After all, we were the taxpayers who paid the city employees. So…when these employees suggested giving themselves a big raise, some of us went to city hall and suggested that it would be wise to avoid a big fire that would burn out the people who paid the bills. The result: they voted for the raise and did nothing about the canyon. The next result: my husband and I moved to Tennessee.
Completely understand your frustrations ... and your logical re-location to TN.
Are these legit groups that get the contracts, or part of the climate equity justice non profit blob?
Good Question ...
Good stuff to keep front and center. Thank you! What surprises me most is how the state residents pay no heed to this situation when the day is almost here that none of them will be able to purchase insurance for fire loss. Same as for all their other problems: Is it Newsom who is responsible or is it the voters who elected him. We put all the focus on the idiot when the focus should be put on the idiots who did the electing.
In another day and age, politicians would have resigned in embarrassment and shame. The Newsom‘s of this country feel no such thing and go on their merry way without repercussions. Are they so powerful and so bewitched the party that protects them that no consequences other than indignation ever come about?
YES ... INDEED !!!
Newsom is an ass.
And a greasy haired one, at that !!!
Keep pulling that Democrat lever Californians.
Governor nuisance is an ideological imbecile and he’s arrogant. He’s incompetent. He is the failure of policy and programs. His face should be in Webster’s dictionary under failure as a prime example.
.....and yet, Californians will continue to vote DEMOCRAT, further destroying their cities, like San Francisco and LA, already are, making it more of a one party communist state, allowing for FRAUD, more FOREIGNERS and CHEATING because in my opinion, they are very stupid people.
Shawn: "The fundamental role of government is to ensure the physical safety of its people".
You are correct. Unfortunately, the role of the *political party* is to ensure the authority, control, and existence of the party - to the detriment of everything else.
SOOOOOOOOOOO ... VERY TRUE !!!!
Another case of "why build/get done something if you can make a $$ killing planning and reviewing it?"