Last year was nothing. The average acres burned in California before 1800 was 4.5 million. Last year was less than 2 million which still less than needs to burn. More should have burned. The essential problem is by putting out small fires in the early part of the year, calfire is creating the conditions for giant out-of-control fires later in the year. Also they need to set more fires.
Yes they need both more forestry and more natural burns. The burns prior to 1800’s where all natural burns so there is no comparison. The Redwood tree actually need the moderate fires to grow and germinate. Those pre 1800 fires were expansive, but not as volatile. The volatile fires with lots of fuel are actually worse for the Redwoods.