Focus has been turned to reconstruction as the Los Angeles area works to clean up the devastation left behind by Pallisard, Eaton and other fires last month.
On the other side of the world, one Australian town also experienced a similar situation 15 years ago. However, the residents there believe that much can be done to prevent wildfires, making it an essentially dangerous proposition.
As with details from the Los Angeles Times, Marysville, Australia burned out in 2009 as a result of a rapidly moving brush fire powered by the Hurricane Force winds.
A total of 173 people were killed in flames, including 39 from a small community in Marysville. There, 14 of the 550 structures became known as Black Saturdays.
Once town residents began the reconstruction process, a panel of experts assembled by the government found hurdles like dense woods nearby, meaning there were few escape routes from the town.
As reported by The Times, panel planning expert Roz Hansen said: “Marysville is one such town.”
The city was ultimately rebuilt with updated fire laws and many protective measures, including the use of fire-resistant coatings in many buildings. These measures can do a lot as they are likely to be implemented in California as reconstruction efforts continue.
Southern California residents should recognize that no matter how many changes occur, humanity is limited to their ability to control fires like these.
As former Australian fire commissioner Greg Mullins told The Times, there is no halt to the brutal winds and dry conditions that allow Black Saturday to happen.
“They shouldn’t have built it [Marysville] return. There is no doubt about it,” he said.
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