The Refugio Fire-1955
Coyote Fire-1964
Wellman Fire 1966
Romero Fire-1971
Sycamore Fire-1977
Eagle Fire-1979
Wheeler Fire-1985
Painted Cave Fire-1990
Gap Fire-2008
Tea Fire-2008
Jesusita Fire – 2009
That’s close to a significant fire every 5 years.
The Painted Cave and Tea fires alone are quoted as costing over $1,000,000,000 in in damages and suppression costs in 2008 dollars. Still there is reportedly little enforcement of 100′ clear zones. Two fires there have had damaged or destroyed structures rebuilt twice since 1950…seems like a pretty flat learning curve. Those losses weren’t that great…but still fire safety standards and regulations are hardly unknowns. Several of these fires were arson caused or suspected…but clear space and planning could minimize the damages. The Santa Ana-like winds that have contributed to the damages are another known factor that might be mitigated to some extent by planning and rigid enforcement.
Hardly seems like a global warming issue…those winds did just start…more like one of local denial.
I was there Wednesday when the fire literally exploded around 4 PM…not a pleasant sight. Deja vu their landmark Stearns Wharf fire of 1998 that took millions and over 2 1/2 years to rebuild. Notice a trend?
Here’s the list from a local TV web site:
The Refugio Fire-1955
Coyote Fire-1964
Wellman Fire 1966
Romero Fire-1971
Sycamore Fire-1977
Eagle Fire-1979
Wheeler Fire-1985
Painted Cave Fire-1990
Gap Fire-2008
Tea Fire-2008
Jesusita Fire – 2009
That’s close to a significant fire every 5 years.
The Painted Cave and Tea fires alone are quoted as costing over $1,000,000,000 in in damages and suppression costs in 2008 dollars. Still there is reportedly little enforcement of 100′ clear zones. Two fires there have had damaged or destroyed structures rebuilt twice since 1950…seems like a pretty flat learning curve. Those losses weren’t that great…but still fire safety standards and regulations are hardly unknowns. Several of these fires were arson caused or suspected…but clear space and planning could minimize the damages. The Santa Ana-like winds that have contributed to the damages are another known factor that might be mitigated to some extent by planning and rigid enforcement.
Hardly seems like a global warming issue…those winds did just start…more like one of local denial.
I was there Wednesday when the fire literally exploded around 4 PM…not a pleasant sight. Deja vu their landmark Stearns Wharf fire of 1998 that took millions and over 2 1/2 years to rebuild. Notice a trend?