Cal Fire boss: fighting wildfires more challenging
56 views · Published 16 December 2018 · 1:27 · Indexed 21 September 2026
Channel: AP Archive · 2018 · News & Politics
(11 Dec 2018) California's top firefighter says the state's increasingly deadly and destructive wildfires have become so unpredictable that government officials should consider banning home construction in vulnerable areas. Department of Forestry and Fire Protection Director Ken Pimlott leaves his job Friday after 30 years with the agency. He tells The Associated Press that government and residents must act differently to protect lives and property from fires that now routinely threaten large populations. "Things are changing,'" he said. "The folks can say what they want to say. But when firefighters are living climate change there it's staring them in the face every day. We're seeing that not only in these more destructive and larger fires but we're seeing it in how long. Fire season is how long they're having to work." That may mean rethinking subdivisions in thickly forested areas or homes along Southern California canyons lined with tinder-dry chaparral. Residents should train themselves to respond more quickly to warnings and be prepared to shelter in place if they can't outrun the flames. Communities should prepare commercial or public buildings as fire evacuation centers with the expectation hundreds may shelter there. Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter: https://twitter.com/AP_Archive Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/APArchives Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/APNews/ You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/youtube/81d068af7d6eab87a5007489513d39b8
