It’s so hot, and the air quality is ash.

And here’s a reminder that controlled burns work
https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2019/08/26/a-trailblazing-plan-to-fight-california-wildfires

That fire breaks don’t
https://www.latimes.com/projects/wildfire-california-fuel-breaks-newsom-paradise/

And that Legislature stripped the $1 billion proposal to program to help homeowners pay for fire-resistant retrofits

In regard to Yosemite’s Illilouette Creek 15k acre wilderness area. Its encircled by granite peaks that create a natural firebreak. So in 1972, the decision was made not to suppress wildfire within the basin. Over 150 fires have burned in the area caused by lightning strikes etc

A great thread on why traditional houses are engineered for their locations— our ancestors -and the original indigenous people- were SO SMART. Forcing cookie cutter global designs don’t work https://twitter.com/wrathofgnon/status/1013941701293928449?s=21

California’s out of control wildfires are caused by a century of natural fire suppression, increasing global temperatures, droughts, dense undergrowth preventing ground water absorption, and an increasing number of homes in wildlife areas—none of which are properly fireproofed

The problem requires many simultaneous solutions. And I get that people look at that, get exhausted, and try to find the “one easy fix” which is why California has been investing in huge firebreaks which look terrible, are bad for the environment, and don’t work

I’m just so tired of being scared for my friends and their family. 2 years ago my friends mom escaped from a fire that took her home of many years with only her dog, laptop, and urn of her late husbands ashes. Some of the other townsfolk weren’t as lucky. It’s terrible

Good Controlled burns only rise a few inches up to take out undergrowth and forest litter— some seeds only activate from fire

Firestorms burn down old growth trees typically immune to fire, fling embers 100s of feet, incinerate seeds, create 3x as much pollution

I love you Smokey the bear but your over zealous desire to stop forest fires of any kind has really screwed us over

Last article https://arstechnica.com/science/2020/01/why-isnt-california-using-more-prescribed-burns-to-reduce-fire-risk/