The firestorms of summer 2008 are still very much on the mind of the media. Recently, follow up stories have been published in California newspapers with analysis, recovery and prevention information.
The Los Angeles Times ran an article that centered on UC Cooperative Extension wood durability advisor Stephen Quarles' work on attic vents. Quarles points to flying embers as a reason even homes with cleared landscape and fire-resident siding, windows and roofs still succumb to wildfire.
Glowing fragments can blow through house vents and start a fire inside attics. Quarles is studying new high-tech vents that would stop embers from entering. The new vents are not yet on the market. Unfortunately, the story didn't mention Quarles' frequent suggestion to homeowners to make plywood vent covers that can be installed quickly when fire approaches.
The Chico Enterprise-Record took on the topic of post-fire erosion. Erosion, the article said, could mean flooding this winter for people who have already experienced a summer disaster. The Enterprise-Record story was based on a forest stewardship workshop in Magalia sponsored by the UC Berkeley Center for Forestry, UC Cooperative Extension and other agencies.
The Fresno Bee ran story on the variety of pressures on the state's ranchers, including wildfire. For the article, reporter Dennis Pollock spoke to UC Cooperative Extension natural resources advisor for Fresno and Madera counties Neil McDougald. He said rangeland scorched by wildfire will need at least three years to recover. A second consecutive year of low rainfall totals is also taking toll on grass used as cattle feed.
"It means reduced residual matter, and you don't have all the protection for the beginning of next year's crop," McDougald was quoted. "Every year that you use that resource more, it adds to your risk."