Prevent Wildfires: Tackle “Wokeism” Myths

Wildfires have become a distressing part of life for many living in California. Recently, the Palisades Fire ignited in the western part of Los Angeles, fueled by strong Santa Ana winds. This fire rapidly advanced into the residential zones of Pacific Palisades, compelling over 175,000 residents to evacuate. The flames led to the destruction of more than 9,000 structures, leaving many without electricity and tragically resulting in at least 24 fatalities.

The raw numbers only hint at the true horror of the situation. Videos circulating online depict heart-wrenching scenes, such as nursing home residents being rushed to safety and individuals trapped in homes engulfed by flames. Fortunately, reports indicate that many managed to evacuate safely. Photographs of the aftermath reveal entire neighborhoods reduced to ashes.

California has unfortunately become accustomed to such devastating wildfires. The infamous Camp Fire in 2018, along with the massive August Complex and Dixie Fires in 2020 and 2021, each contributed to the burning of nearly a million acres.

These recurring incidents raise questions about California’s susceptibility to wildfires, given its extensive wooded areas. However, with only about 33% of the state covered in forests, California is actually less forested than many other states. By comparison, 50% of Florida, two-thirds of Georgia, and over 70% of Alabama are forested.

Despite this, major wildfires are rarely reported in the Southeast. A 2023 Congressional Research Service report noted that while more wildfires occur in the eastern part of the United States, those in the West are larger and result in greater acreage loss.

This difference is not accidental. Southeastern states frequently employ controlled burns to clear combustible underbrush, a practice that significantly mitigates the severity of wildfires. On average, Florida issues around 88,000 authorizations for prescribed burns, covering over 2.1 million acres annually. In contrast, California’s target for fuel reduction projects is a comparatively modest 100,000 acres.

A significant factor contributing to this disparity is land ownership. In Southeastern states, most forest land is privately owned, providing landowners with a personal incentive to manage their property responsibly. In the Western states, however, the federal government owns large areas of forested land, turning prescribed burns into a politically sensitive issue.

Bureaucratic caution often means that the potential risks of controlled burns are avoided, even though such practices could prevent larger wildfires. In October, the U.S. Forest Service paused prescribed burns in California indefinitely, and residents are now experiencing the repercussions of this decision.

California itself bears some responsibility for the current situation. A 2022 report from the California Fire and Forest Resilience Task Force described prescribed burns as beneficial for managing fire risks. However, these practices have been hampered by regulatory challenges, leaving between 10 and 30 million acres in California in need of some form of fuel reduction treatment.

Other policy decisions have also drawn criticism. To protect certain fish species, Governor Gavin Newsom dismantled dams, and despite voter approval of significant funding for reservoirs back in 2014, new ones have yet to be constructed. The Santa Ynez Reservoir, located in the Palisades area, has a capacity of 117 million gallons but was empty and undergoing repairs when the fire erupted.

Access to water is crucial in firefighting efforts. Unfortunately, during the blaze, many Los Angeles fire hydrants ran dry. Contributing to this issue was the theft of numerous hydrants, which were then sold for scrap, a consequence of certain lenient crime policies.

Leadership decisions have also come under scrutiny. L.A. Fire Chief Kristin Crowley prioritized diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives, while L.A. Mayor Karen Bass was reportedly abroad in Ghana as the fire unfolded. Furthermore, the city’s fire department budget was reduced by over $17 million, even as plans were made to allocate $1.3 billion towards addressing homelessness.

Amidst these challenges, discussions about climate change often surface, with some leaders attributing the increasing frequency and intensity of wildfires to global warming. This narrative, however, sometimes diverts attention from local policy decisions and management practices that could be improved.

For Californians eager to mitigate the effects of future wildfires, addressing these systemic issues and re-evaluating current strategies may be essential. A focus on effective land management, adequate resource allocation, and pragmatic policy-making could play a critical role in safeguarding communities from the devastating impact of wildfires.

Victor Joecks, a columnist for the Las Vegas Review-Journal, invites readers to share their thoughts via email or social media. More of his work and that of other Creators Syndicate writers can be found on the Creators Syndicate website.

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