this post was submitted on 15 Jan 2025
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Politics
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Yes, California does do controlled burns. This senator is being disingenuous as are any other talking heads claiming they don't.
The state has increased the budget for and amount of controlled burns (as well as creation of firebreaks which both enable controlled burns and reduce spread of wildfires) in recent years, including after the federal government under trump reduced maintenance of federal lands. Voters have supported this through propositions as well including one last election.
Controlled burns also require a lot of care and resources or they can turn into wildfires, so there's only so many the state can do at a time. The past few years have actually allowed for more than previously.
LA had unseasonably low precipitation and high winds that contributed to the rapid spread of the current fires.
Should California do more controlled burns? Probably, but the state is very much doing what it can.
But, it's easier to point fingers at the very people taking preventative measures than help your countrymen in a time of need.
It would be more accurate to say that climate change is making the problem worse, so despite their increases in fire management, even more is required.
A lesson in there somewhere about investing in the future...
Problems associated with climate change tend to grow exponentially. Meanwhile, resource management tends to reach a point of diminishing returns. So, yeah, any increase in fire management will be outpaced by climate change.
In other words, if there is a lack of fire prevention maintenance, it's not on California's part, but on the Fed's.