 hundreds of thousands of mature eucalyptus trees, the risks of forest fires increases by several-fold based on the woods chips, logs, and other wooden material the exercise would create. Therefore, by lowering the same combustible material that causes these dangerous forest fires to the ground, the clear-cutting activities increases the risk of forest fires occurring and aggravates its process of spreading. Therefore, the mature trees pose less forest fire hazard when upright than when on the ground and in pieces.
Feasible solutions to the clear cut that still work against forest fire risks
Several fire management strategies exist as possible solutions to the main issues that have instigated the East Bay Hills clear cutting suggestion. The first approach is using of non-combustible materials in all construction projects near the East Bay Hills forested regions. Roofs should be clay tiles, wood needs special treatment, and the paint used should be any alternative to conventional oil-based varieties. Such strategies should suffice in preventing the houses from catching fire quickly.
Preventing fire is best achieved by staying away from any regions that could pose such risks. Therefore, the forestry department alongside real estate developers should liaise with the Federal Environmental Management Authority (FEMA) to create a large fire break between the forested areas and any urban settlements. Such moves should prevent forest fires from reaching buildings and other settled areas neighboring the East Bay Hills forested regions.
Optimizing fire safety awareness, as well as firefighting equipment in the East Bay Hills, could also contribute to saving the eucalyptus trees. The community should be encouraged to stay alert during the hot summers to prevent fatalities and injuries in case the fires reach the human settlements. These solutions should suffice in reducing the loss of property and preventing that of life in California’s East Bay Hills, which should retain its crucial tree cover.
- Quote paper
- Ernestoh Khomu (Author), 2015, Clear Cutting on the East Bay Hills Area and Why It Is a Very Bad Idea, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/313078