With the Legislature getting ready to take a summer break in a couple of weeks, and fire season now upon us, Nevada County’s Assemblyman is continuing to push for a special conference committee on the issue. Brian Dahle, who is also the Assembly Minority Leader, says he originally asked Governor Brown to convene a special session in January. But it never happened…
click to listen to Brian Dahle
Dahle says fuel reduction also continues to be a major concern…
click to listen to Brian Dahle
Dahle is asking Senate President Pro Tem Toni Atkins and Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon to form the committee. He says if the issues of wildfire safety, insurance liability, and utility accountability are not handled properly, the results could be catastrophic for homeowners.
Bernard J Pokorski
I know that this idea is going to seem extreme......I worked in a Precast Concrete Underground Manhole Manufacturing company from 1972 -1981. I know about the safety of putting power lines underground, and I feel that due to the ever-increasing cost of fighting wildfires, that All NEW-CONSTRUCTION electrical power lines should be placed underground here in California....especially in areas that have overhead power lines and are known to be prone to wildfires, high winds, etc.
I know that the cost of placing power lines, power transformers, and their related equipment underground will be more expensive than putting them 'up in the air on power poles, but it is something that needs to be done, for the added safety from wildfires.
Eventually all power lines here that exist on power poles here in California need to be put underground.
Dennis Lear
Totally agree, this is a major problem especially in our area. Maybe a surtax on the parcel tax is needed.
Why not use prison populations as we do with Calfire.
ZERNICH, ROBERT
I would like to be kept informed on the wildfire issue and committees to be formed with non-government members.Ihave been on such fires and believe the worst problem is the US Forest Service policy to limit access to the forest by removing logging roads and allowing growth without thinning by logging. I have lived in Plumas County over thirty years and have seen the devastation grow due to these poor practices. It is time regular people be heard and not the zany enviros. A push for Congress to bar the lawsuits should be the first step.
John Littlewood
Concerning the fire issue I also agree, underground powerlines could address our wildfire issues in a very positive way. Just keep in mind this cost will be passed onto the ratepayers. Considering the climate change issue it may well be worth doing in the long run as noted by a previous constituant.
Dennis
The states fire department is moving in positive direction with fuels reduction, control burns, inspections, staffing, fire apparatus. This is due to cal fire leadership and the governors commitment to fire season safety. Fire season is now a year round event with unprecedented annual activity. Homeowner responsibility and preparation is paramount. The men and women who respond put their lives on the line on a daily basis. They need and deserve public and government support. Attacks from politicians on issues such as staffing, retirement, and union activity put the public and first responders at greater risk with less recruitment and retention of state firefighters.