The end of the article talks about grants for homes in fire-prone areas. No thanks; this sounds just like the FEMA rebuilding the same flood-prone areas again and again.
Let's not subsidize the exurbs, but get people away from dry Forests.
Let's not subsidize the exurbs, but get people away from dry Forests.
Short of resolving the NIMBY problem that prevents higher-density construction in fire-safe areas, paying residents in fire-prone areas to harden their communities is the best choice out of a selection of bad options.
Also keep in mind that keeping people away from fires does nothing to reduce the smoke problem, which is very severe in its own right. The solution needs to be fewer fires, whether they pose an immediate risk to human life or not.
No, the NIMBY problem must be faced head-on. No more avoidance.