Thursday, 20 September 2007 08:41
Home Building Increases Sierra Fire Danger
A new report by the Sierra Nevada Alliance finds that sprawling
patterns of homes built in the Sierra are more expensive and dangerous
to protect from wildfire. The report is the result of two years of research and
finds that major wildfires like the Angora Fire in South Lake Tahoe will become more common and
more destructive, if current growth patterns continue. Between 1990 and 2000, the
number of people living in extreme or very high fire threat areas of the Sierra
increased by 16% and is expected to triple by 2040.
This new report finds that 94% of the land
slated for residential development is in areas considered “extreme” or “very
high” fire threat. When homes are scattered in remote, rugged locations, it is
very difficult for firefighters to reach those homes in time, safely evacuate
residents, and defend the homes from approaching wildfire. Roads are often too
narrow for fire trucks to navigate, and there are no fire hydrants or other
sources of water for firefighters to use. There is often more flammable
vegetation in these sprawling, remote areas, making it easier for fires to get
out of control and threaten the lives of residents and firefighters. The report
titled Dangerous Development: Wildfire and Rural Sprawl in the Sierra Nevada, also includes strategies for “Fire Smart
Growth” including infilling first, and restricting rural sprawl and leapfrog
growth. For a copy of the full report, visit the Sierra Nevada Alliance website
at: www.sierranevadaalliance.org
