Letters: Put fire safety focus on neighborhoods, not backcountry

"As catastrophic fires become an annual reality, our leaders must prioritize protecting lives and homes not remote wilderness areas. Scientific evidence continues to show that thinning forests in distant backcountry areas does little to shield communities from fast-moving, wind-driven wildfires. Instead, resources should be redirected toward proven measures: defensible space around homes, ember-resistant building materials, community wildfire preparation and local fire mitigation efforts."

"In 1994, I voted for Proposition 187 for some of the arguments Fred Gutmann makes, mainly over the disproportionate financial impact illegal immigration had on local government services. My views have since changed. Half of California's agricultural workers are illegal and probably a high percentage in agricultural sectors throughout the country. That goes for landscaping, hospitality, restaurants, construction and house cleaning jobs Americans won't do. Farmers are unable to attract domestic labor to do difficult field work for even $30 an hour."

California's wildfire strategy must shift toward protecting lives, homes, and neighborhoods rather than remote wilderness areas. Scientific evidence shows thinning distant backcountry forests does little to shield communities from fast-moving, wind-driven fires. Resources should be redirected to defensible space around homes, ember-resistant building materials, community wildfire preparation, and local fire mitigation efforts. Every dollar spent thinning forests far from people is a dollar not spent improving community safety. A 1994 vote supported Proposition 187 due to concerns about the financial impact of illegal immigration on local services, but perspectives have changed as many agricultural and service jobs rely on undocumented workers. Farmers cannot attract domestic labor even at $30 an hour.

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