Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Box 13.1 Reducing Fire Losses
MTC regions are subject to catastrophic wildfires that result in substantial
property losses (
Table 13.1
). It has long been believed that by managing land-
scape fuels and aggressive fire suppression, governments could prevent fires from
encroaching upon urban environments. However, with populations expanding
ever closer to watersheds of dangerous fuels it has become apparent that not all
fires can be stopped. Increasingly it is recognized that emphasis needs to shift
toward other approaches to reducing fire losses, such as (1) reducing wildland
fire ignitions, (3) altering urban growth patterns, and (3) altering fuel properties
within the urban environment.
Fire prevention is the first step in reducing fire losses. In most regions there
has been a long tradition of personal responsibility in not starting fires.
Accidental fires are prominent and there are potential avenues for reducing
these fires. For example, a great many fires ignite from power tools used in
wildland areas so restrictions on use of such tools could reduce fire starts. In
MTC regions most fires are anthropogenic and occur along roadways (Wilson
1979b
; Keeley & Fotheringham
2003a
; Wittenberg & Malkinson
2009
; Curt &
Delcros
2010
), so potentially the placement of concrete barriers along road-
ways in high population density areas or landscaping with fire-resistant plants
might reduce fire starts. Power line failure is responsible for a number of
catastrophic fires (
Box 13.2
) and these fires could be reduced through place-
ment of power lines underground.
Arson is another leading cause of catastrophic fires as ignitions are timed to
the most extreme fire weather conditions. Although often the result of malcon-
tents, on some landscapes this may exist as a form of political dissent (Seijo
2009
), or as a means of appropriating unregistered forest lands (Briassoulis
1992
). Increased patrols and remote cameras during severe fire weather are
important steps to reducing arson fires. Success in tracking down arsonists is
critical to discouraging future arsons. Equally important are severe penalities
and these have been increased in both California and Australia. In a 2006
southern California fire that tragically resulted in the deaths of five fire
fighters, homicide charges were brought against the accused arsonist.
One area with a large potential for reducing losses is urban planning that is
more sensitive to fire issues. There is no question that some locations are
inherently more dangerous than others in terms of wildfire losses. One might
expect that fear of losing your home would induce homeowners to select
carefully and this would be reinforced by insurance companies that refuse
coverage for homes in dangerous watersheds. However, one example where
these free market forces have not worked is in North America. After wildfire
losses in the early 1960s made it difficult to purchase fire insurance, the
California legislature created the California Fair Access to Insurance Plan, so
that all people could get insurance, regardless of where they built their homes.
Continued
