[Wonder Warthog]

"A correctly managed shelter-in-place community reduces the fuel levels in proximity to the properties to such an extent that they cannot support a fire,” Harrap said.

Doesn't exactly sound like rocket science to me--just basic application of common sense.

[HKMk23]

This “shelter in place” property preservation strategy should be implemented by everyone in fire-prone areas whether the standard was incorporated by the builder, or not.

Maybe leave off the INTERIOR sprinkler system; they can be a huge expense to retrofit them into existing construction, but definitely do the non-combustible roofing, and keep advancing the green landscaping out away from the house to the 100 foot mark.

Even if you’re in a modern tract home development where you can knock on your neighbor’s window by reaching out through yours, capture as much of this concept as possible by working with neighbors, and (probably) your HOA to get irrigated landscaping put in beyond your back fence (which had better not be made of wood).

Even as far back as the late 1960’s, a neighbor of mine in pre-development boom Anaheim Hills (heck, it wasn’t even known as “Anaheim Hills” back then) had installed sprinklers on top of his shake-roofed home. Any time a fire got to within a half mile, or so, he’d put them to use. You’d think such things would be normal in any new construction in such areas.

[Hildy]

Right off the bat I know this is a wrong. Larry Himmel..a well-known TV personality in San Diego, reported right in front of his own home being burned down in the 4S Ranch subdivision.

It was heartbreaking. Larry Himmel reporting from his burning home in 4S Ranch

[DoughtyOne]

“Shelter in place doesn't change the fact you're building in a danger zone,” said anti-sprawl activist Duncan McFetridge, president of Save Our Forest and Ranchlands.

I doubt this guy is very concerned about ranchlands beinging preserved.  This is about conservancies and the domination of land ownership and management by them.  When all other concerns are eliminated, he and his carpetbaggers will focus on ranchers next.  Most folks know that such advocates already do.

As for shelter in place communities, it sounds to me like a great idea.  Isn't that what we ask of home owners already?  Keep the immeidate area around your home free from materials that feed fires, and the fires will be less likely to burn right up to and involve them.

[Kevmo]

interesting, bmflr

[pelicandriver]

From the article:

“We lived through Hurricane Andrew,” Samaritoni said, “and I lived in the Bay Area during the Loma Prieta earthquake, so when someone says there’s an impending disaster, we leave.”

Disaster seems to follow him. Hope he doesn’t move to my neighborhood!

[Roccus]

Wherever Dennis Samaratoni is moving to next, I don’t want to be near.

[Cicero]

I should think something as simple as brushhogging and burning brush would fix most of the problem. I suppose that’s probably illegal in California. But which causes more pollution and destruction of wildlife, controlled burning of brush, or brushfires that burn up acres of fields and woods and houses full of plastics and other chemicals?

I cut the brush in our pasture every year, here in Vermont, and I have put in a lot of time limbing trees and removing dead wood. I burn a good sized brush pile once or twice a year. It makes the woods a lot pleasanter to walk in, as well as a lot safer from a fire caused by lightning or some other accident.

[Panzerlied]

“A disputed land-use strategy designed to protect new developments from devastation in the county’s exurban, fire-prone areas appears to have passed its first and most critical test this week.”

Now, who do ya think has disputed this?

Could it rhyme with Sierra Club?