Outrageous is the only way to describe the fire season predictions quoted in last week’s cover story. At the seminar hosted by Malibu Coastal Vision, fire experts essentially told Malibu residents: “Based on history and statistics, Malibu’s going to have a huge, devastating fire this year. Good luck!”
I don’t care what the statistics are, there is no reason why Malibu should ever again have to suffer the devastation of a firestorm. Only two facts really matter here: 1) Every fire that has ever significantly devastated Malibu has started outside of Malibu and 2) all of those fires have been man-made, either accidental or intentional. Fire researcher James Woods of Cal State Long Beach notes that the worst fires start at or beyond the 101 Freeway, becoming virtually uncontrollable by the time they reach Mulholland.
So what’s so hard about targeting the areas where these fires start? Why can’t we make sure they never get to Mulholland in the first place? Isn’t it easier and more cost-effective to fight a preventative battle at localized sites than to waste money and manpower on fighting such fires once they’ve reached maximum strength?
And whatever happened to using goats to clear the most dangerous stretches of brush and creating a natural firebreak? And why should Malibu have to bear the whole burden? Why can’t Calabasas and the other communities over the hill get their acts together? Why should we be resigned to regular devastation simply because our neighbor communities and local fire officials refuse to take the necessary preventative actions?
I’ve lived through enough such fires and I entirely reject the notion that they’re unavoidable and regular occurrences. I particularly reject the idea that Trancas and Malibu Park are “due” for a fire simply because they haven’t burned since 1978.
Let’s use our experience from all previous fires to insure that none of it is ever repeated.
Let’s resolve, once and for all, that Malibu will never, ever suffer another wildfire, that not one more home in this precious community will ever be lost to a firestorm, that Malibu’s canyons and streams will never again run with ash, that no more of our trees will be burned to stubble, that no more of our wildlife will lose their lives or habitat to a scorched earth.
Battalion Chief Mike Sandeman was quoted as saying, “Without exception, every year that we’ve had a heavy rain… we’ve had a major Santa Ana-fueled fire.” Really?
If we’re all willing to band together, put pressure on our fire officials and neighboring communities, we can make 2005 the first exception to that disgustingly pessimistic prediction.
Wade Major