These fires have got me thinking about where people live and what would happen if people did not live in these places. I know that most of the fire fighting efforts go into protecting houses and structures, and the most of the time the forest is allowed to burn, but man this is unreal.
In particular, the fires in the Sacramento--I-80 area. The location of these fires and the timing reminds me of a description in George Stewart's book Earth Abides. The book was written in 1949 as a post-apocalyptic sci-fi novel set in California. The main character Ish describes what he sees, haze on the horizon, from the annual burn of the Sierra. Read the book it will make more sense. It is just a great description of the natural processes that take place when humans aren't around.
Ironically though today, NPR ran a story about the Tahoe fire last year (Angora Fire) and the people who are rebuilding their homes. Most of those people are unwilling to implement the new building codes that will make their homes more fire resistant. They say that it is too costly. Hmm having your house burn to the ground and having to rebuild again, or just spend the cash up front to protect your home . . . .
All I know is that it isn't much fun having to exercise indoors due to poor air quality. Hmff, guess this means I will just have to go to the gym.
1 comment:
That reminds me of Lebowski, the dude abides. But instead its the earth eating your house with fire. A few years ago I remember sitting on the roof of my friends house in Bountiful spraying it with a hose because the fire was creeping down the mountain. It was crazy. But no one learns, and they keeping building them higher and higher up the side of the mountain.
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