The aftermath beyond the destruction.

California & Hawaii Hotlist Questions and Discussion
#1

After retirement and living in the WUI I got to experience the other side of the fence. I was evacuated twice due to fires. Not fun. I as many also experienced property insurance issues. Some of my friends/neighbors were advised their policies were not going to renew and we were having issues finding new carriers.
It’s gotten worse over the past few years and the current events are just going to magnify the issues.

I finally sold my lace on the mountain and bailed. (due to health issues). Bought a place in the valley. I had a heck of a time finding homeowner ins. Luckily we have a friend in the business that helped us find new coverage. In the process we learned just how hard that can be. So many companies are no longer writing policies in Ca. and those who do insurance is gonna cost you an arm and leg. After the horrendous losses with the current fires things will just get much worst. It was bad already, but about to get much worse affecting everyone no matter where you live.

Then comes weather concern IF we ever get rain. Just more to add to the misery bucket.

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#2

I’d like to be optimistic we see massive involvement with the CA Fire Safe Council and Firewise with defensible space, and most critically, home hardening programs like we have seen in the north of the state. With every disaster comes a unique opportunity to push reactive policy, and I see no exception with the destruction caused this time when people in power (politicians and the 0.1% oligarch) are affected. I would be less optimistic if this fire nuked through another small, isolated community – respectfully.

We saw changes in the CA Forest Practice Rules in the 1973 with Z’Berg-Nejedly, the early 1990s with the Timber Wars, and increasing fuels management exemptions from mass fires of the last 10 years. The state has outlined the policy for fuels management, now we need to meaningfully enact and upgrade the communities at risk with holistic home hardening.

The only way is up. Hopefully my comments aren’t too opinionated for here.

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