Wildfire articles and videos from the archives.
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January 10, 2025
** Special Edition
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Welcome to The Lighthouse ([link removed]) , the weekly email newsletter of the Independent Institute covering politics, economics, current events, and everything in between.
Dear Readers,
As heartbreak and devastation are wrought by the Palisades, Eaton, Hurst, Lidia, Woodley, Tyler and Sunset Fires, the State of California has yet another grim reminder of the urgent need for better wildfire prevention and response. Ten have been reported dead, with the death toll expected to rise. Neighborhoods-worth of structures have been engulfed, and over a hundred thousand people have been displaced.
The smoldering remains in southern California reflect a pattern all too familiar for the Golden State and its people: mismanagement, regulatory hurdles, and underinvestment in prevention efforts have combined to worsen the crisis. This special edition of our newsletter takes a step back to examine broader lessons and challenges tied to wildfire management in California and beyond. From the importance of local level decision-making to lessons from past tragedies, actionable reforms exist on how communities might better build resilience and mitigate future disasters.
Included are commentaries, research reports, and one of our contributors, Kristian Fors, shared his personal story on Fox News, reflecting on how the fires are directly impacting him and his community.
Jonathan Hofer
Managing Editor
Top picks this week
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** California resident devastated by 'uncertainty' facing family in wake of disastrous wildfires ([link removed])
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Research Fellow and California Golden Fleece® Director Kristian Fors was evacuated from his home in LA Canada Flintridge due to the fire storm. He joins Fox News to share his experience and what he hopes can be learned from the tragedy.
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** Cal Fire Must Prioritize Prevention ([link removed])
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** by Lawrence J. McQuillan
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Proposals to delegate a larger role in funding, planning, and decision-making to local communities would allow for expedited fuel removal, flexibility in planning, and the ability to waive federally mandated procedures and regulations.
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** The Lahaina Wildfire Holds Lessons for California and Other Western States ([link removed])
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** by Lawrence J. McQuillan
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Findings show that specific actions would have prevented Lahaina’s destruction. The missteps in Maui are learning opportunities for California and other fire-prone Western states that want to ensure this never happens again.
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** Free Up Markets to Reduce Wildfire Damage and Lower Energy Bills ([link removed])
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** by Adam B. Summers
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The California Department of Insurance prohibits insurers from using wildfire models to predict losses and restricts rate increases for homeowners insurance in high-risk areas, limiting efforts to discourage building in fire-prone locations.
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** Fixing California’s Growing Insurance Crisis ([link removed])
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** The State Needs Free Markets—Not More Regulations—to Solve the Problem ([link removed])
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by Adam B. Summers
California’s strict bureaucratic restrictions have hindered the home insurance industry’s ability to adapt to market conditions, creating chaos and making it difficult for homeowners to secure coverage against wildfires and other disasters. Many Californians are struggling to find standard home insurance policies.
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** California Wildfires Golden Fleece® Report ([link removed])
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** Key Recommendations to Prevent Future Disasters ([link removed])
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by Lawrence J. McQuillan, Hayeon Carol Park, Adam B. Summers, Katherine Dwyer
Encouraging local communities to establish more fire and fuel breaks can enhance their safety without relying on federal or state intervention.
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** Northern California Hurt When Wildfire Efforts Are Undermined by Federal Action ([link removed])
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by Jonathan Hofer
Counterproductive regulations include the impact assessments required by the Endangered Species Act and the National Environmental Policy Act. These regulations mandate the Forest Service to consult before managing forests to avoid “modifying” habitats, leading to significant costs and delays.
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** California Failed to Sufficiently Manage Its Forests ([link removed])
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by Katherine Dwyer
As we choke on smoke and watch our beautiful state burn, we look for an answer. How can this level of destruction be prevented in the future?
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** California Burning ([link removed])
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Lawrence J. McQuillan and Mary L. G. Theroux
Independent Institute Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Mary L. G. Theroux interviews Independent Senior Fellow Dr. Lawrence J. McQuillan for a discussion and Q&A on the causes and cures for the recurring but unnecessary California wildfires.
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** FEATURED BOOK - COMING SOON!
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** Race & Liberty (Updated Edition ([link removed])
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** The Essential Reader ([link removed])
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** Edited by Jonathan J. Bean
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With new contributions from Thomas Sowell, Coleman Hughes, Thomas Chatteron Williams, Kenny Xu, David Bernstein, and Ilya Somin—as well as a plethora of primary source evidence from recent landmark US Supreme Court decisions—Bean champions the values of colorblindness, freedom, and equal constitutional protection for all individuals—regardless of race. It’s a message that couldn’t be more timely.
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