As scientists who study how vegetation ignites and burns, we recognize that well-maintained plants and trees can actually help protect homes from wind-blown embers and slow the spread of fire in some cases. So, we are concerned about new wildfire protection regulations being developed by the state of California that would prohibit almost all plants and other combustible material within 5 feet of homes, an area known as “Zone 0.”
As per usual, politicians coming up with half baked plans without consulting scientists or going with scientific recommendations.
The appearance of doing something about a problem is much easier and more politically expedient than actually doing something about a problem.
Sometimes half measures also just get a ball rolling so real measures can be done by showing that the half measures wernt enough.
It’s the most expensive way to do anything, but people are so good damn against starting ANYTHING if it’s not a perfect solution. That just getting people to accept a change at all is the hardest part typically.
Surely a raging wildfire couldn’t jump 5 feet.
580 WILDFIRE: Wildfire jumps Highway 580 and shuts down freeway
that well-maintained plants
I get it, but I wouldn’t want the existence of my house to depend on my neighbor’s grounds keeping skills and fidelity. Or even more realistically, their house depending on mine.
Or on whether there’s a drought and watering shrubs is allowed
Literall the first thing ChatGPT suggests…