Into the Inferno: The Science of Fire

Chris Bauer Post on Sep 25, 2007 by
Topics: Climate, Engineering, Television

In dry years, fires in California cost billions of dollars and often result in lost lives. QUEST goes inside the fire season, looking at how the history of forest management could be feeding today's flames.

You may view the "Into the Inferno: The Science of Fire" TV story online, as well as find additional links and resources. Also, see See additional photos from the making of Into the Inferno: The Science of Fire.


Chris Bauer is a Segment Producer for television on QUEST, and is the producer for this story.

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  • Colt Mortenson

    Right on, let fire back into the ecosystem. Get insurance companies on board and don't insure homes that do not have defensible space.

  • http://www.kqed.org/quest Craig Rosa

    Schwarzenegger orders fines for overgrown properties

    - The Associated Press

    Published Friday, May 9, 2008

    Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger is instructing state fire officials to begin fining rural homeowners who fail to clear their properties of brush, trees and dry grass.

    Schwarzenegger says clearing around homes is particularly important because of this year's dry conditions throughout the state.

    A 2005 law required that homeowners who live near forests or grasslands increase the so-called "defensible space" around their houses from 30 feet to 100 feet.

    State Fire Marshal Kate Dargan says inspectors have issued few citations to homeowners who ignore the law. Instead, firefighters have focused on educating them about the dangers of overgrown properties.

    During a Capitol news conference on Friday, Schwarzenegger said he is ordering inspectors to be more strict about citing homeowners who don't act.

    Fines can range from $100 to $500. If homeowners still refuse, officials can clean up the property and send them the bill.

    For more information about defensible space requirements log on to: http://www.fire.ca.gov