Letter: Fire prevention should begin now

Last year we learned one thing: a wind-driven wildfire can jump the Columbia River. This year, we learned another thing from Paradise, Calif.: a wildfire can wipe out a town overnight.

It can happen here.

I urge the council to begin all appropriate actions aimed at preventing the loss of Vancouver in a future wildfire. Here is a partial list:

1. Evaluate Vancouver’s firefighting equipment inventory. Then ask voters for a bond measure to buy more. Perhaps add a fire station or two.

2. Make a plan for evacuation, then insist citizens practice. Declare sufficient evacuation sites.

3. Banish new construction from fuels, and convert the town to poured concrete and rebar, with ceramic products, for all new construction.

4. Evaluate all fire-fighting water resources, then dig new wells for more.

5. With an eye to preventing those awful east winds, take all appropriate political positions aimed at stopping global warming.

6. Begin requiring retrofitting of all buildings to resist fire.

7. Banish tall trees and brush from the city.

Fire professionals can add more to this list. I urge the council to show leadership and to begin.