USDA promises $1B in wildfire preparation grants

While much of the national debate about wildfire focuses on forest management and environmental protection, critics of the federal government's past approach say the conversation overlooks the greater impact of measures that protect homes in case of fire. Those measures include clearing combustibles from near homes and reducing vegetation up to 100 feet from homes — the idea that wildfire protection begins at the home and goes outward, rather than from wilderness areas toward communities (Greenwire, Jan. 8, 2019).

"This is exactly what needs to happen," said Tim Ingalsbee, executive director of Firefighters United for Safety, Ethics, and Ecology in Eugene, Ore.

While forest management shouldn't be overlooked, Ingalsbee said, preventing ignition of homes through defensible space should be a high priority for public policy. "We need to do both."