California forests have 'cruel beauty'

With the beginning of the summer fire season looming, media are taking note of UC wildfire management expertise.

The High County News published an article last week about preparations in California for "the next burn." Writer Peter Friederici based his story on a new CalFire map that places Portola Valley in a "very high" fire hazard zone. Residents are concerned the designation will cause insurance companies to cancel their coverage or raise rates and that it could also devalue their property.

The concerns seemed to garner little sympathy from Peter Moraga, speaking for an insurance industry group.

"Those people who aren't in the high fire areas shouldn't be subsidizing those in the high-risk areas," he was quoted in the story. "If you choose to live in a higher-risk area, you should be prepared to pay higher rates."

Breathtaking views, fresh mountain air and proximity to natural areas with lush vegetation outweigh the hazards -- until a fire strikes, Friederici wrote. "Many of these places are beautiful," he quoted Moraga, "but it's a cruel beauty."

For the story, the reporter discussed the idea of homeowners staying and defending their property - instead of evacuating when a fire approaches - with the director of the UC Berkeley Fire Center Max Moritz.

He noted that the full name of the philosophy is "Prepare, stay and defend, or leave early." The key, Moritz told the reporter, is making a property as fire-safe as possible, and then deciding early whether to stay or go.

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