If it hasn't been written, it will be written: global warming caused the fires in California and President George Bush is responsible for not putting the fires out.Now, back to reality. Fires in scrub land and western forest have been around as long as the brush and trees have existed there. What is the problem is that the California state and local governments have let politics supplant common sense.
- People are allowed to build homes in areas prone to wildfires with no real local resources to control wildfires and, more importantly,
- People are not allowed to clear "safe zones" around those homes to act as fire breaks because California has aligned itself with those who call themselves environmentalists who want those homeowners treated as intruders on the land the state allowed them to buy
Blame it on Bush.A forest fire can occur anyplace where conditions are right. If, however, history shows that particular areas have those conditions on a regular basis, it is pure negligence on the part of the state, county, and local governments to allow building homes within those areas.
These fires are being fanned by so-called unusual Santa Ana winds.Perhaps, but as far back as 1968 I remember seeing the hills over Lompoc burning and people shrugging that off as just a normal occurrence.
ADDENDUM
As I was driving this afternoon, I heard that one of the reasons for this fire is global warming [as is alcoholism and erosion]. Also heard that Diane Feinstein was wondering why communities allowed people to build in fire-prone areas [see answer above]...