Tragic wildfires raging in Australia are too close to home. While there has been much attention to the Woolsey Fire and improved response, there are still things to be done.
First, I understand that the lockdown on the part of the sheriff’s department will take place again during the next fire. The consequence of this is that many more people will not leave, putting their lives at risk. Does the sheriff mean to protect property over people? Does it simply not want to be bothered by the presence of residents?
What is the rationale?
Secondly, as a longtime Malibu resident who has survived many fires, I am not at all confident that evacuating on the route through Malibu Canyon assigned to my neighborhood in the case of the next fire will be safer than stocking supplies and sheltering in place.
Finally, there has been no visible discussion of evacuation by sea. The beaches could become uninhabitable because of heavy smoke and flying embers. That is happening in Australia and it could happen here. We were lucky last time.
These matters surely have been given careful consideration by decision makers. However, the impact on the residents is such that they need to be discussed in an open civic forum.
Carol Moss