Experts say one practice could have slowed down devastating LA fires

But one thing that could have limited the mind-boggling devastation, many experts say,r is better preparation by communities, specifically the widely promoted, yet sometimes overlooked, practice of creating “defensible space” around buildings and “hardening” homes to fire.

In Los Angeles County, like in so many parts of California, entire neighborhoods exist in or next to fire-prone wildlands. With flames bound to reach these areas and no assurances they can be stopped, especially in an age of climate-charged mega-fires, many say focusing on community-level safety should be top priority.