As this winter dry spell continues, we are reminded that the wildfire season has become a wildfire constant. Yet local officials continue to greenlight hillside projects as if these land-use decisions aren’t linked to the never-ending fire season. In Los Angeles County, a judge cited wildfire risks and halted a housing development that would bring 57,000 residents to the edge of the county. State and local officials should also take a serious look at prohibiting development in California’s most flammable hillsides. As a scientist who is deeply concerned about policies that increase wildfire risks, I urge decision-makers across the state to take the long view.

Source: New York Times April 07, 2022 17:07 UTC