EDITORIAL: Fighting fires in a way that makes sense
If officials fail to take significant steps to prepare for this year's wildfires, it will heap travesty upon tragedy.
First the good news.
The
Unfortunately, this vital funding doesn't fully kick in until the 2020 fire season. This year's budget has only
We should be grateful that, after so many fires and so much destruction, that
Forest fires wreaked
At the same time,
For some perspective, 31 military personnel died in war zones in 2017, up from 26 in 2016. Wildfires in
The
It could happen here. Forests of almond and walnut trees border our Valley cities and communities.
It will become ever more difficult -- and expensive -- to insure homes in fire zones. There are increasing complaints about insurance policies being canceled or spiking premiums, but insurance companies have to be able to consider risk in setting rates. Legislators need to make sure homeowners are treated fairly, but also those choosing to build in hot zones bear an appropriate insurance burden.
Insurance Commissioner
Already, fires are burning. The
Climate change makes wildfires a year-round danger. Public policy must keep up. Revisions in federal fire funding is a good step forward, but there is much more to be done.
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