Not a single comment about controlled burns to prevent forest floor buildup that acts like gasoline. This problem will NOT be solved by the insurance industry or builders. How about we just use some uncommon sense every now and then.
One of the least costly and most effective ways to prevent forest fires has not been mentioned. Its what cities like Reno, NV and Irvine, CA are using….goat herds. YES! Goats are clearing the brush and naturally eliminating the old leaves, branches, and (in Reno) discarded Christmas trees, from being a source of fires. Its a simple method that saves lives, costs less, and can easily be managed. Rather than planning for “Fire Season”, it DOES take planning and commitment to the ongoing SAFETY of human beings, animals, homes, and the environment.
I suggest that, specifically for California, that PGE stop ALL investments in renewable energy sources. PGE should use all of their resources (money, people;, time) to replace every single piece of old equipment and old facilities with 2019 equipment and facilities.
At the same time, PG&E should cut down trees and bushes and other vegetation around their power lines regardless of the impact on any creatures or insects that live in those areas.
After all that is completed, and a trimming program is put in place (to trim or cut down trees, bushes and other growth around PG&E’s equipment), the utility can then (and only then) begin to invest in renewable energy sources.
Prohibiting homeowners from clearing around their property due to ‘environmental concerns’ needs to change. And the Governor’s attitude toward PGE needs to change. There needs to be a concerted effort on all parties to come together and find a solution to this serious problem. What happened to the lessons that were learned from the Oakland Hills Firestorm in 1991 where Insurance carriers were urging homeowners to have defensible space around their properties? It’s unfortunate that over the last 25 years, nothing has changed (see article: https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/25-years-later-Oakland-hills-ripe-for-another-9984731.php)
As long as environmentalist continue to file suits that basically ties PG&E’s hands in clearing brush and trees from around power lines this will continue unabated. Developers are to blame also as they continue to build in areas susceptible to wildfires. Homeowners should also be held accountable as well for not clearing a defensible area. Just take a drive into the foothills and mountains and those side roads off the beaten path. Many of these landowners are hoarders and have a lot of junk on their properties which can burn and stoke further fires. I don’t appreciate having to pay $ 600-monthly utility bills to bail these people out.
Not a single comment about controlled burns to prevent forest floor buildup that acts like gasoline. This problem will NOT be solved by the insurance industry or builders. How about we just use some uncommon sense every now and then.
One of the least costly and most effective ways to prevent forest fires has not been mentioned. Its what cities like Reno, NV and Irvine, CA are using….goat herds. YES! Goats are clearing the brush and naturally eliminating the old leaves, branches, and (in Reno) discarded Christmas trees, from being a source of fires. Its a simple method that saves lives, costs less, and can easily be managed. Rather than planning for “Fire Season”, it DOES take planning and commitment to the ongoing SAFETY of human beings, animals, homes, and the environment.
I suggest that, specifically for California, that PGE stop ALL investments in renewable energy sources. PGE should use all of their resources (money, people;, time) to replace every single piece of old equipment and old facilities with 2019 equipment and facilities.
At the same time, PG&E should cut down trees and bushes and other vegetation around their power lines regardless of the impact on any creatures or insects that live in those areas.
After all that is completed, and a trimming program is put in place (to trim or cut down trees, bushes and other growth around PG&E’s equipment), the utility can then (and only then) begin to invest in renewable energy sources.
Prohibiting homeowners from clearing around their property due to ‘environmental concerns’ needs to change. And the Governor’s attitude toward PGE needs to change. There needs to be a concerted effort on all parties to come together and find a solution to this serious problem. What happened to the lessons that were learned from the Oakland Hills Firestorm in 1991 where Insurance carriers were urging homeowners to have defensible space around their properties? It’s unfortunate that over the last 25 years, nothing has changed (see article: https://www.sfchronicle.com/bayarea/article/25-years-later-Oakland-hills-ripe-for-another-9984731.php)
As long as environmentalist continue to file suits that basically ties PG&E’s hands in clearing brush and trees from around power lines this will continue unabated. Developers are to blame also as they continue to build in areas susceptible to wildfires. Homeowners should also be held accountable as well for not clearing a defensible area. Just take a drive into the foothills and mountains and those side roads off the beaten path. Many of these landowners are hoarders and have a lot of junk on their properties which can burn and stoke further fires. I don’t appreciate having to pay $ 600-monthly utility bills to bail these people out.