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> Is there a way to build permanent housing in parts of California that are prone to fires even with controlled burns? Absolutely. A good starting point is to
by Arrath 3y ago
> Is there a way to build permanent housing in parts of California that are prone to fires even with controlled burns?
Absolutely. A good starting point is to look to Australia's regulations for construction materials, methods, water storage and setback/firebreak requirements, etc. for fire safety in bushfire prone areas.
While it may be picturesque to have your house or cabin nestled in amongst the forest, your fire survivability is Zero.
- taneq 3y agoEven so, we lose plenty of houses because people want to live ‘out in the bush’ but don’t want to do all of these things.
- EdwardDiego 3y agoThe fact that people can go build a house in the middle of bush that's renowned, sometimes even evolved for, for fire, strikes me as nuts. Especially when volunteer firefighters then have to risk their lives to save people with the lovely view. (Ditto California...)
- mtnGoat 3y agoI don’t know anyone working on wildfires in the United States for free. Not saying there is no risk, but they are paid and understand the risks. Some nice neighbors have their own contract fire crews, which are not cheap.
- Quarrel 3y agoIn Australia, "most" rural firefighters are volunteers, but have equipment and training providing by their local Government run rural fireservice (that has fulltime paid administrators). The population density between Australia and the US is radically different though which changes the dynamic (deserts and marginal land exist in both, but Australia is particularly water challenged with no high mountains, so no major rivers).
- blackguardx 3y agoI know folks that are volunteer wildfire firefighters in Colorado and in California they were enlisting prisoners and paying them very low wages.
- EdwardDiego 3y agoFun fact, NZ and Australian volunteer rural fire-fighters often fly in to help out with bad fire seasons in California. It's good practice.
- mistrial9 3y agothis happened with some East Coast settlers moving to California after 1870 or so.. many areas known for fire now were the sites of fine home building with expensive techniques and materials, plus the lower quality homes or whatever. English speaking people apparently did not get the memo?