Letters

Where not to live

Re "Driven by wind, catastrophe sweeps across three counties," Nov. 16

There is an old folk song with the refrain, "When will they ever learn?"

The tragedy and devastation of the last week is another case of living where you shouldn't. City planning departments and governments need to look hard at past disasters -- fires, floods, earthquakes, etc. -- to develop patterns and then change zoning ordinances to prevent construction of homes in those areas.

These areas, of course, are among the prettiest, leafy, rustic neighborhoods with great views. But nature, of course, doesn't recognize a desirable area and will again burn it down or flood it away a few years down the road. Save the beautiful, rustic areas for recreational or vacation visits -- don't live in them.

Tom Reinberger

Glendora

California's fire danger

Re "Driven by wind, catastrophe sweeps across three counties," Nov. 16

At the start of the fire season, with the budget still not passed, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger commented that no matter how dire the financial situation, we always find the money to fight the fires.

Maybe we need to start finding some of that money in a fire-prone-area surcharge on the property taxes of those who choose to live in such dangerous areas.

Roberta Quiroz

Los Angeles

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Some years back in a meeting with San Diego city officials, including the fire chief, I suggested that Neighborhood Watch, an anti-crime citizens' organization, be expanded to include Fire Watch. Everyone agreed that it was a worthy idea, but there it ended. Every time terrible fires break out across Southern California, I am reminded of that meeting and saddened nothing came of it.

The idea was quite simple: Citizens would be encouraged to join Fire Watch or its equivalent.

Every time a Santa Ana condition loomed -- high temperatures, strong winds, low humidity -- members would begin patrolling the perimeters of canyons and foothills with binoculars and cellphones in hand.

The purpose? To watch for those who wait for Santa Ana conditions to start fires. If the knowledge of a citizens' patrol on duty during fire season deterred even one pyromaniac, wouldn't it be worth the effort to create such an organization?

George Mitrovich

San Diego

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