California’s recent wildfire may have a unique set of causes and issues. But I want to remind people that much larger fires take place regularly. Over 20 fires in the US last year were bigger than the Palisades fire but did not receive nearly the same attention even in those states, let alone nationally. We’re talking about Palisades because it took place in richer areas rather than rural ones, and because more houses were destroyed rather than just land and resources.
I encourage people to research the causes of those other non-California fires, because it is not as simple as blaming climate change. You can find research and talks from forest service experts who discuss a wide range of problems - the lack of access roads, the lack of fire breaks, the lack of prescribed burns, the lack of programs to clear dead trees, and so on.
I want to pile on California’s mismanagement and the theater of Newsom or Bass not admitting fault and not talking about common sense prevention measures (like turning off the electric grid). But there is also inaction and ignorance on these topics all across the country, with politicians at every level, and in every party.
