4 ms·

Are there any "controlled burns over time" statistics? I'd venture that "not enough controlled burns" should be the first hypothesis for why these fires are so

by zests 6y ago

Are there any "controlled burns over time" statistics? I'd venture that "not enough controlled burns" should be the first hypothesis for why these fires are so common. I learned how important controlled burns are in boy scouts -- this isn't exactly a well kept secret. Before any other explanations are suggested, this one should be addressed. I'd also venture that the state of California would prefer if the fires were outside of their control rather than caused by forest mismanagement. I will neglect to mention any other political reasons that might influence what these fires are blamed on. Can anyone who rejects the controlled burns hypothesis explain the basis of their beliefs and also explain what they think would happen if the frequency of controlled burns were increased?

mcint 6y ago
No. CalFire has reports on their response to crises, but no statistics on preventative measures. It hasn't been what's driving promotions. They can't change incentives placed on them. And we have to be willing to voluntarily accept man-caused air quality tradeoffs (and e.g. make liability exemptions, or have the state pay for harm caused by the side effects of intentional, planned burns) - Most recent "Redbook": https://www.fire.ca.gov/media/11146/2018_redbook_final.pdf https://www.fire.ca.gov/media/11146/2018_redbook_final.pdf - "Stats and Events": https://www.fire.ca.gov/stats-events/ https://www.fire.ca.gov/stats-events/ - "Vegetation Management Program" (sub-programs (2-tick "--") existence and structure shows how much CalFire has been able to invest in these): https://www.fire.ca.gov/programs/resource-management/resource-protection-improvement/vegetation-management-program/ https://www.fire.ca.gov/programs/resource-management/resourc... -- Forest Practice (other portals mentioned here): https://www.fire.ca.gov/programs/resource-management/forest-practice/ https://www.fire.ca.gov/programs/resource-management/forest-... --- Open Data Hub, mainly timber mgmt: https://forest-practice-calfire-forestry.hub.arcgis.com/ https://forest-practice-calfire-forestry.hub.arcgis.com/ -- ...Landowner Assistance: https://www.fire.ca.gov/programs/resource-management/resource-protection-improvement/landowner-assistance/ https://www.fire.ca.gov/programs/resource-management/resourc... -- Environmental (e.g. Air quality): https://www.fire.ca.gov/programs/resource-management/resource-protection-improvement/environmental-protection-program/ https://www.fire.ca.gov/programs/resource-management/resourc... --- CEQA CA Env. Quality Act: https://wildlife.ca.gov/Conservation/CEQA/Purpose#what https://wildlife.ca.gov/Conservation/CEQA/Purpose#what -- Climate Change: https://www.fire.ca.gov/programs/resource-management/climate-change-and-energy/ https://www.fire.ca.gov/programs/resource-management/climate...
- mcint 6y ago
  https://www.fire.ca.gov/programs/resource-management/resource-protection-improvement/environmental-protection-program/ https://www.fire.ca.gov/programs/resource-management/resourc... > Certain Department activities may be exempt from CEQA due to their emergency nature (e.g., firefighting, flood response) or their minimal likelihood for causing significant impacts (statutory or categorical exemptions). Other actions may require the Department's development and approval of environmental documents, including Environmental Impact Reports. The following is a summary of CAL FIRE approvals that are subject to environmental review under CEQA: > Fire Protection: ... Fuels Management Projects
jb775 6y ago
> Scientists estimate that prior to European settlement in California, fires burned approximately 4.5 million acres annually in California. In comparison, between 1950 and 1999, fires burned about 250,000 acres annually, less than 6 percent of the historical average. Within a few years, the natural fire regime in which Sierra forests evolved and thrived largely ceased. This not only set up a perfect storm for massive wildfires, but also makes you think it this had something to do with the droughts. If there's millions of extra trees consuming/holding water, it's not crazy to think this may be related.

by zests 6y ago

mcint 6y ago

No. CalFire has reports on their response to crises, but no statistics on preventative measures. It hasn't been what's driving promotions. They can't change incentives placed on them. And we have to be willing to voluntarily accept man-caused air quality tradeoffs (and e.g. make liability exemptions, or have the state pay for harm caused by the side effects of intentional, planned burns) - Most recent "Redbook": https://www.fire.ca.gov/media/11146/2018_redbook_final.pdf https://www.fire.ca.gov/media/11146/2018_redbook_final.pdf - "Stats and Events": https://www.fire.ca.gov/stats-events/ https://www.fire.ca.gov/stats-events/ - "Vegetation Management Program" (sub-programs (2-tick "--") existence and structure shows how much CalFire has been able to invest in these): https://www.fire.ca.gov/programs/resource-management/resource-protection-improvement/vegetation-management-program/ https://www.fire.ca.gov/programs/resource-management/resourc... -- Forest Practice (other portals mentioned here): https://www.fire.ca.gov/programs/resource-management/forest-practice/ https://www.fire.ca.gov/programs/resource-management/forest-... --- Open Data Hub, mainly timber mgmt: https://forest-practice-calfire-forestry.hub.arcgis.com/ https://forest-practice-calfire-forestry.hub.arcgis.com/ -- ...Landowner Assistance: https://www.fire.ca.gov/programs/resource-management/resource-protection-improvement/landowner-assistance/ https://www.fire.ca.gov/programs/resource-management/resourc... -- Environmental (e.g. Air quality): https://www.fire.ca.gov/programs/resource-management/resource-protection-improvement/environmental-protection-program/ https://www.fire.ca.gov/programs/resource-management/resourc... --- CEQA CA Env. Quality Act: https://wildlife.ca.gov/Conservation/CEQA/Purpose#what https://wildlife.ca.gov/Conservation/CEQA/Purpose#what -- Climate Change: https://www.fire.ca.gov/programs/resource-management/climate-change-and-energy/ https://www.fire.ca.gov/programs/resource-management/climate...

mcint 6y ago
https://www.fire.ca.gov/programs/resource-management/resource-protection-improvement/environmental-protection-program/ https://www.fire.ca.gov/programs/resource-management/resourc... > Certain Department activities may be exempt from CEQA due to their emergency nature (e.g., firefighting, flood response) or their minimal likelihood for causing significant impacts (statutory or categorical exemptions). Other actions may require the Department's development and approval of environmental documents, including Environmental Impact Reports. The following is a summary of CAL FIRE approvals that are subject to environmental review under CEQA: > Fire Protection: ... Fuels Management Projects

jb775 6y ago

> Scientists estimate that prior to European settlement in California, fires burned approximately 4.5 million acres annually in California. In comparison, between 1950 and 1999, fires burned about 250,000 acres annually, less than 6 percent of the historical average. Within a few years, the natural fire regime in which Sierra forests evolved and thrived largely ceased. This not only set up a perfect storm for massive wildfires, but also makes you think it this had something to do with the droughts. If there's millions of extra trees consuming/holding water, it's not crazy to think this may be related.