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> Today our horticultural firebreaks are gone, strawberry fields are now aging suburbs, and the quest for beach fronts, mountain view lots and big trees has cre

> Today our horticultural firebreaks are gone, strawberry fields are now aging suburbs, and the quest for beach fronts, mountain view lots and big trees has created fire hazards that were once unimaginable. Being posted in a tech community with an ideology of constant improvement, I’m positive there will be a preponderance of solutioning in response. I grew very tired of the repetitive nature of the writing. I also noticed amongst its supposed specificity, none of the actual causes of the fires were given. For example, I recall the fire that burned part of Redding was from multiple fires burning together caused by both arson and a trailer chain left dragging against the pavement. I think some of use are aware of the arsonists caught in the current LA county fires. We can point to failures of leadership and forest management. But the author calls the behavior of mankind believing we can tame nature perverse. What a disappointing perspective. Were that true then we have no business ever exploring space, the ocean, or housing anyone for any reason on the Earth’s polar ice caps. The fact is we can and do tame nature in many MANY ways. Anyone that drives a car can understand this. So it’s not a matter of whether we do or not, but to what extent are we trying. That is not a perverse belief, as I’m sure you may know of will read in other replies. We, or those in leadership positions, know what can be done to mitigate destruction and loss of life. The challenge is, and as the history in this article suggests, is doing it.

Analemma_ 2y ago
This comment is kind of deliberately missing the point. We can tame nature, but not to an arbitrary degree: to do so, we need to make compromises and mandate+forbid certain behaviors. Wildfires can be tamed, but it requires 1) controlled burns which aren't held up for years in red tape, 2) insurance priced appropriately to risk, which means not everyone who wants to live in a fire zone should be able to afford it and 3) construction codes with mandatory firebreaks, specific fire-resistant materials and vigorous enforcement punishing anyone not doing these (since one break in the firewall can lead to the whole town burning down). California refuses to do any of these things, never mind all of them, and pays the inevitable consequences.
notjoemama 2y ago
If you say I’m missing the point…then go on to solution just like I predicted, then it’s you who missed the point. I’m sure you’ll have great ideas, and I’m also sure it won’t matter and does nothing beyond making you feel like you are more right than someone you don’t know on the internet. If you need a direct call to action, and why wouldn’t you as a good little techie, then call or write your representatives and officials with your solutions. At least when I commented I read the entire article, quoted a piece of it, then referred to other sections. Ya know, kinda following the rules.

Analemma_ 2y ago

This comment is kind of deliberately missing the point. We can tame nature, but not to an arbitrary degree: to do so, we need to make compromises and mandate+forbid certain behaviors. Wildfires can be tamed, but it requires 1) controlled burns which aren't held up for years in red tape, 2) insurance priced appropriately to risk, which means not everyone who wants to live in a fire zone should be able to afford it and 3) construction codes with mandatory firebreaks, specific fire-resistant materials and vigorous enforcement punishing anyone not doing these (since one break in the firewall can lead to the whole town burning down). California refuses to do any of these things, never mind all of them, and pays the inevitable consequences.

notjoemama 2y ago

If you say I’m missing the point…then go on to solution just like I predicted, then it’s you who missed the point. I’m sure you’ll have great ideas, and I’m also sure it won’t matter and does nothing beyond making you feel like you are more right than someone you don’t know on the internet. If you need a direct call to action, and why wouldn’t you as a good little techie, then call or write your representatives and officials with your solutions. At least when I commented I read the entire article, quoted a piece of it, then referred to other sections. Ya know, kinda following the rules.