US Forest Service Declares Cal’s Biggest Fire, Asks for “Christmas” Donations
AGENDA 21 RADIO
BY CHRISS STREET
Penn State researchers found that leaf litter and branches—the components of forest fuel—left to accumulate on the forest floor has resulted in ferocious fires that “burn at a higher severity.”
The US Forest Service in declaring the Thomas Fire as the largest in California’s history, asked for donations to victims in recognition that, “Christmas is the season for giving!”
The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) at 6 a.m. on Dec. 23 declared that the Thomas Fire that began in the evening of Dec. 4, had become the state’s largest in history by burning at least 273,400 acres. That exceeds the 2003 Cedar Fire that lasted for 46 days and burned 273,246 acres in San Diego County.
The Thomas Fire has destroyed 1,063 structures, damaged 280 structures and killed two people. Although there are 2,521 fire personnel, 116 engines and 26 helicopters, the fire is only 65 percent contained and is expected to burn until the second week in January.
Cal Fire reported that since January 1, wildfires have burned 635,000 acres in California’s National Forests. Cal Fire only ranks the 2017 wildfire devastation by size “well above both 5 & 10-year averages.” But AccuWeather estimates the costs for fighting the fires, property losses, and business interruptions is tracking at an all-time-record$180 billion.
The stunning financial losses from this year’s fires has generated debate about the wisdom of California’s decades of extremist conservation efforts that included virtually a zero tolerance for logging and 100 percent suppression of small fires. Penn State researchers found that leaf litter and branches—the components of forest fuel—left to accumulate on the forest floor has resulted in ferocious fires that “burn at a higher severity.”
The regional office of the US Department of Agriculture’s Forest Service in the afternoon of Dec. 23 posted on its website that hundreds of firefighting crews working the Thomas Fire over the holidays are feeling “well-cared-for” because, “We feel the Love!.”
The Forest Service sought to rise above political correctness and rally donations for victims by featuring on its website: “It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas, and Christmas is the season for giving!”
The USFS added:
“The BEST gift you can give us is to give to those in need this Holiday season, especially those folks who have been impacted by the Thomas Fire. Give us a warm smile, a wave, a cute poster by the roadway, but please give your financial support and donated supplies to local assistance organizations.”
The firefighters named the following six charities:
Holiday Food Drive: Ventura Unified School District 3777 Dean Dr. Ventura, CA 93003;
FOOD SHARE: 4156 Southbank Road Oxnard, CA 93036
SALVATION ARMY: 3451 Foothill Road Ventura, CA 93001
ARC THRIFT STORE: 265 E Main Street Ventura, CA 93001
HELP OF OJAI: 111 W. Santa Ana Street Ojai, CA 93023
RESCUE MISSION ALLIANCE: 315 N A Street Oxnard, CA 93030
