3 ms·

The headline is misleading. The original policy was the US Forest service - a federal agency. As for calfire and the state being reluctant to authorize control

The headline is misleading. The original policy was the US Forest service - a federal agency. As for calfire and the state being reluctant to authorize controlled burns, well given the risk of wildfire and having controlled burns escape, we probably need to not just be slack about who can burn what when, with which supervision. The title does do the state of California a disservice. We already have a president* who is attempting to blame state leaders for fire, as a political fight. When the federal lands and federal agencies are also responsible for this as well. The notion that not having smaller burns leads to larger fires is well established going back decades. We need to accelerate our adaptation to the new drier climate. This article could help. But give the blameology a rest. Edit: also note the editorialization of the title. The original article title was a “native wisdom” approach, which got dropped for “some reason.”

donw 6y ago
The federal policy stopped in 1968. Enthusiasts of subtraction of real numbers will note that was 52 years ago. I'm a California native, and a quick look at past wildfires[1] confirms my hunch, that the vast majority -- 82% -- of California's most devastating wildfires have occurred in the past twenty years. One peak happened in 2008, the other in 2018. Pretty sure Trump wasn't president in 2008. California absolutely has done a poor job of state infrastructure management, across the board. [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_California_wildfires https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_California_wildfires
jmspring 6y ago
The bulk of public land in California is Federally controlled - BLM, USFS
- donw 6y ago
  True! Forty-five percent, in point of fact. That land is still jointly managed with the state[1], though. [1] https://www.blm.gov/programs/public-safety-and-fire/fire-and-aviation/regional-info/california https://www.blm.gov/programs/public-safety-and-fire/fire-and... (Also, I learned something new today -- thanks!)

donw 6y ago

The federal policy stopped in 1968. Enthusiasts of subtraction of real numbers will note that was 52 years ago. I'm a California native, and a quick look at past wildfires[1] confirms my hunch, that the vast majority -- 82% -- of California's most devastating wildfires have occurred in the past twenty years. One peak happened in 2008, the other in 2018. Pretty sure Trump wasn't president in 2008. California absolutely has done a poor job of state infrastructure management, across the board. [1] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_California_wildfires https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_California_wildfires

jmspring 6y ago

The bulk of public land in California is Federally controlled - BLM, USFS

donw 6y ago
True! Forty-five percent, in point of fact. That land is still jointly managed with the state[1], though. [1] https://www.blm.gov/programs/public-safety-and-fire/fire-and-aviation/regional-info/california https://www.blm.gov/programs/public-safety-and-fire/fire-and... (Also, I learned something new today -- thanks!)