You know how I mentioned the big wildfire up near South Lake Tahoe?
It’s still raging and many structures have been destroyed and it really sucks. And residents, especially evacuees and people who have lost structures, are all very upset. Understandably so.
But what’s the first thing everyone seems to be doing?
Blaming someone else.
They are blaming the Forest Service for not completing enough prescribed burns. They are blaming the Tahoe Regional Planning Agency for not allowing them to cut trees. They are blaming every agency they can name.
WTF?
You live in a FOREST. According to experienced fire fighters, these are the driest conditions that have seen for 40 years. You can’t blame anyone for that (well, I’m sure people can). One woman came on the news last night and explained that she did cut out 100 feet (or is it yards..?) of defensible space around her home, and her home did not burn. Some residents may blame the Forest Service or other government agencies for not letting them cut trees, but I’m sure many residents never tried to clear trees and brush away from their houses. How do I know? They showed one house on the news that had a huge pine tree as one corner of their patio deck. Intentionally built into the house. Very pretty. But it’s a tall freaking pine tree with pine needles right above your house. I understand not wanting to cut away all the trees around your house when you live in a beautiful forest. But why scream blame at someone else when this kind of uncontrollable accident happens? Why are we always looking for someone to blame?
I’ve admitted that I would be devastated if my entire home was destroyed. I don’t mind people being distraught. But why, why is it – the first thing they do is have a meeting and scream at public agencies? Are they trying to set up their lawsuit cases already? Or are they just trying to redirect all their personal frustration on someone else, as if that will assuage their own grief? Why not focus on yourself, and your family, and concentrate on getting your insurance payments (you were insured, right?). Why add grief upon grief by screaming at everyone else, when YOU LIVE IN A FOREST and everyone *says* they were expecting this type of fire at some time or another? Why distract yourself with more reasons to be upset and angry? Why not at least wait until the fire is controlled and officials can concentrate on what you have to say, rather than have to deal with a raging mob who points blame before the final ember is extinguished? No one likes a raging mob.
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