In addition to everything that's already been said about fires in CA, one thing I like to bring up is the obliviousness of many people living in the 'wildland interface'. I go hiking a lot at the old mercury mine near San Jose. On my way, I pass through the town of New Almaden. Cute town. 25 mph speed limit signs every 20' reminding you to slow down.
The town has a single, two-lane road for access, and nearly every house sits in the shade of oak trees and dry vegetation.
I understand the aesthetics, but that sort of naivete is absolutely irresponsible. CA is filled with towns like this. Fortunately it looks like the state might start enforcing fire codes, but I suspect the blowback from people living in these towns will effectively kill the enforcement.
The town has a single, two-lane road for access, and nearly every house sits in the shade of oak trees and dry vegetation.
I understand the aesthetics, but that sort of naivete is absolutely irresponsible. CA is filled with towns like this. Fortunately it looks like the state might start enforcing fire codes, but I suspect the blowback from people living in these towns will effectively kill the enforcement.