The Camp Fire
killed 85 people.
It destroyed
the town
of Paradise,
California.
PG&E’s equipment
reportedly caused
this fire.
PG&E had to
declare bankruptcy.
A tree or branch
that falls across
power lines
can cause
sparking that
can ignite a fire.
An earthquake
can result in
power lines
touching
each other
creating a
short circuit
that can also
cause sparking
and ignite a fire.
"California’s Most
Significant Droughts",
published by the
California Department
of Water resources:
“California’s
most significant
historical droughts
of state-wide scope
were those with the
longest duration or
driest hydrology
– the six-year drought
of 1929-34, t
he two-year drought
of 1976-77, and
the six-year event
of 1987-92.”
Recent droughts were in
2007-09 and 2012-14.
Paleontological
data show
California had
severe droughts
dating back a
thousand years.
CO2 levels
were constant
at 280 ppm.
What’s really changed
is forest management.
California poses a risky
environment which
may require much
more aggressive
maintenance
procedures.
The California
government should
have required
more aggressive
tree trimming
and clearing
requirements.
Higher electric rates
would cover
the added costs.
The recent trend
is fewer wildfires,
but each fire
is more severe.
The most likely cause
is an increase in dead trees
and underbrush from
a government policy
of leaving forests natural.
Meaning the California
government was most
responsible for the
increase in large wildfires.
When an energized
wire touches ground
or is short circuited,
such as when two
energized wires cross,
it will create an arc
or spark.
When an electric
arc or spark touches
flammable material,
it can ignite that material.
The less moisture in the
flammable materials
the more likely they
will ignite.
Dead trees,
perhaps killed by
insect infestations,
and dead brush
are especially
dangerous.
California’s rules for
trimming and clearance
often required clearance
of only four feet.
Ten feet here
in southeastern
Michigan,
which is
less windy
than California.
PG&E wanted to
increase clearance around
its power lines to 15 feet
on each side of the pole
or transmission tower,
the Sierra Club objected.
Quoting the Sierra Club:
“‘The California Public Utilities
Commission requires PG&E
maintain at least a 4-foot clearance
between vegetation and power lines
in high fire-threat areas year-round
to help ensure electric reliability
and public safety.’
Under their new program,
PG&E wants to enlist
property owner consent
to voluntarily remove
all vegetation to a distance
of 15 feet from each side
of the power lines in the
affected zones, and extend
the clearing down to
one foot above the ground.”
And:
“With the planned
clearcut width of 30 feet,
the path of destruction
[from clearing]
could be considerable.”
California's
political
environment
prevented P&E
from doing
the right thing.
PG&E is
the scapegoat.