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The Lockean Project

Biggest fire threat

“Biggest fire threat”, Carmel Pine Cone – Aug. 27, 2021

Gov. Gavin Newsom blocked anyone from removing homeless encampments along Highway 1. This reckless move posed imminent fire danger to most residents of Carmel-by-the-Sea, Monterey, Pacific Grove, Pebble Beach, Tehama and Monterra. Many of our recent California wildfires have emanated from cookstoves, cigarettes or campfires in such encampments.

The encampments have grown to huge numbers recently, once the word got out of Newsom’s permission. I have run a U.S. Forest Service computer model showing that the communities cited would be enveloped in wildfire within hours of any outbreak in the encampment zone, given the steep slopes, overdue forest management and heavy timber fuel load. Our single defense to this looming catastrophe is to recall Gavin.

Dr. C. Michael Hogan, Carmel