Flames Force Evacuations; Man Arrested

Remember last fall? The weeks after the special election? Well, we’ve got some more fires going on. While they’re not as bad as last fall’s, they underscore once again that policies that allow human settlements to get too close to hills which historically burn down every few years are completely irresponsible. When you link the danger to human lives to other urban problems of congestion, pollution, and reduction of open space, you might want to start thinking about imposing a moratorium on further outward growth.

Of course, such a moratorium would be considered completely anti-American by some. The acceptable alternative would be to charge new developments in these areas hefty fees to pay for the construction and maintenance of vital infrastructure to these areas and for a heavy duty rapid response local fire crew. After all, if some people choose to live out in fire country, they should pay for the services needed to keep them healthy and safe.

(Updated May 5, 2004 3:30AM)