Firefighters Warn of Continued Wildfire Threat in California

Rapid development in wildfire-prone areas and continued bone-dry weather have alarmed California firefighters, who began a sweeping assessment of fire danger and what’s needed to meet it.

Catastrophic wildfires that burned across the state last month and in 2003 were of an intensity that should be witnessed rarely — perhaps once a century, they say. The proximity of those fires has raised fears that furious blazes could become more frequent, threatening lives and property.

“We’ve had our second 100-year fire in four years. So, if you are going to have a 100-year fire every four years, it seems that you need to dramatically change your definition of what the fire danger is in California,” said Carroll Wills, a spokesperson for the California Professional Firefighters. “Where they build the homes has a lot to do with whether or not they will be lost.”

Carroll’s remarks came as a state task force began reviewing firefighting during last month’s blazes, which left seven dead and destroyed more than 2,000 homes.

In a statement after its first meeting, the group said the October and 2003 fires show California “is faced with a new kind of fire threat” and urged the state to immediately find funding for 150 new fire engines and more firefighters.

It also said the state and Congress need to determine whether there are enough air tankers — large aircraft that can dump thousands of gallons of fire retardant — to deal with growing fire risks. Other proposals urge the state to push more rigorous zoning and construction rules that recognize fire threats.

The head of the Blue Ribbon Task Force, Corona Fire Chief Mike Warren, appointed state and federal officials to examine the use of military planes and helicopters, as well as state and federal aircraft, in the recent fires after criticism that some were left grounded because of bureaucratic rules and inadequate planning.

Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger directed the group to determine if California has enough fire engines and personnel, and if the state should allow homes and businesses to be built in areas with high wildfire risk.

Warren said he expected to complete a report in early 2008. Among the issues: working with communities to update fire codes, building standards in light of wildfire risks, and revisiting better coordination to quickly begin aerial attacks on wildfires.