" Is this a state funded program?

are you suggesting that we raze Lokoya? Bite off our thumbs to spite our hands?

You know that the State Parks closure will result in massive fires next summer. And yet silly programs like this that dispense common sense remain funded. "

" I hope to see answers to 4gnapan's questions. "

" Dispense of common sense? If it were common sense then we wouldn't see the increase of fires each year like we do in California. The truth is that most homeowners have no idea how to be "Fire Wise", which is obvious by a quick drive around the urban-interface areas here in Napa County. Remember the phrase "An ounce of Prevention is worth a pound of cure"? If we can spend a few dollars on public education in order to save millions of dollars in house and property loss due to a few simple measures then I hope we do it. THAT is common sense! "

" Being part of a family that has a 150 year history in Napa, I can tell you that wild fire is a very real danger in this county. As for a percieved increase in fire activity, I would counter that the number of fire events in California has not grown so much as the development of real estate in fire prone areas, and the news coverage of those fires has increased. I have seen some very significant wild fires in my life, but they often occured in places the media was unable or unwilling to cover. "

" Firewise is a worthy program. I use the chipping program annually. By chipping, I reduce or eliminate the amount of burning I must do to keep the forest from encroaching into areas around my home. In the past, nature cleared fuel regularly with natural events such as lightning. Forest fuel wasn't allowed to accumulate. Now we must take over the role of nature by reducing the fuel load without the involvement of fire.

Unfortunately, homeowners typically do not begin thinking about forest fire prevention until it's too late. Educating the public and enforcing regulations such as minimum brush clearing is well worth the effort. For one thing, clearing brush and reducing flammable construction material makes fighting fires safer for firefighters.

Firewise is about education and providing resources such as the chipping program to homeowners in fire prone regions. Prevention is a whole lot less costly than fighting a fire which is out of control. In the long run, programs like Firewise save money.

Additionally, dense subdivisions should not be allowed to be constructed in rural fire prone areas. Single home construction located on existing subdivided lands should be built with fireproof siding and roofing. Wooden decks should not be permitted in these areas. Our building codes should reflect the dangers of living in rural, fire prone areas. "

" Any goat herders around?

They used goats on Mt. Diablo until some nutjob with a gun shot a bunch of them.

Goats and sheep can crop back lots of undergrowth and brush.

Add chipping for the wood and branches and you have a safe zone.

~Ruff "