- Author: Jeannette E. Warnert
As 323 active fires in California threaten more than 10,000 homes, commercial buildings and other structures, the Sacramento Bee today offered a small consolation. Even though air quality is poor and the state has already spent more than $100 million fighting blazes, the situation isn't really anything abnormal.
The Bee story, citing research by UC Berkeley environmental scientists that was led by Scott Stephens, said the amount of land burning pales compared to acreage consumed historically, before Europeans settled in California.
"The scientists estimated that an average 4.4 million acres burned annually in California before 1800,...
- Author: Jeannette E. Warnert
The Los Angeles Times reported yesterday that trees killed by Sudden Oak Death are making the fire raging near Big Sur burn hotter, spread faster and loom more periously over firefighters. The story says hundreds of thousands of oak trees in the area have succombed to the disease caused by the fungus-like organism Phytophthora ramorum.
For the article, Times reporter Deborah Schoch spoke to UC Davis plant pathologist David Rizzo. He said SOD has "reached its apex" in Big Sur.
"You look in some of these canyons, and you'll see 70 percent, 80 percent of tanoaks are dead," Rizzo was quoted. "The...
- Author: Jeannette E. Warnert
The Contra Costa Times ran a story today about the 2008 fire season, which many suspect will be long and burdensome. One of the experts quoted was William Stewart, a UC Cooperative Extension forestry specialist at UC Berkeley. The version of the story which appeared in the San Jose Mercury News, also under John Simermon's byline, says Stewart is a former research head with CalFire.
The story said a 114-year record low in precipitation statewide from March through May has launched what fire experts figure to be an extended summer of blazes and...
- Author: Jeannette E. Warnert
A story about California's dry spring weather in the Sacramento Bee today cited two UC Cooperative Extension experts: natural resources advisor Glenn Nader of Sutter, Yuba and Butte counties; and rice advisor Chris Greer of Sutter and Yuba counties.
The article, written by Chris Bowman, said spring 2008 was the driest in California history and has produced the most flammable landscape fire forecasters have ever seen this time of year in the Sacramento Valley and Sierra foothills.
"The rest of fire season does not bode well," Nader is quoted.
"We have a long summer and fall to get through, and we just hope for less wind and cooler...
- Author: Jeannette E. Warnert
UC Cooperative Extension natural resources advisor for Sutter and Yuba counties Glenn Nader provided expert commentary to San Francisco TV station KRON Channel 4 yesterday, providing a wealth of fire safety information to the Bay Area community during a teachable moment.
The story was prompted by the Santa Cruz summit fire. Nader noted on the air that he conducts field research for UC and works with homeowners and communities to reduce the risk of structure damage when a fire occurs.
"You will never be able to get rid of all the risk," Nader told the reporters during the live phone interview. "You're just reducing the risk to your house by doing...
