Our future is here

To the Editor:

Profuse thanks to Sonora, Tuolumne County and Cal Fire responders who conquered a very difficult blaze. While our hearts go out to those who lost their properties and pets (there are no reports yet of human deaths or injuries), many barely escaped. All the usual bad things happened — power out, phones down, battery phones and appliances not charged, cars without gas, families separated when the fire starts, bad traffic blocking evacuation and home routes, bad visibility due to smoke, bad timing (school was just getting out), and airborne flaming debris for long distances. Fortunately, the radio stations were able to stay on and the sheriff's cell phone system worked.

Wake up — we lucked out again, at least until our policies are canceled. We still needed help from Los Angeles County, West Covina, jet tankers and many others. Just 5-10 mph higher wind speed or a different direction would have made a disastrous difference. No more sliding by. Deniers and forest rakers — our future is here.

The board better have the gumption to enact the next fire protection parcel tax proposal. Why on fire, water and power do we consistently put it on the ballot or defer infrastructure work to avoid blame for raising necessary taxes or rates? Governing means taking responsibility, not avoiding blame.

Lastly, please stop encouraging development in valleys, bowls, canyons, along effective dead ends, or similar areas without at least two existing safe quick well known traffic capable escape routes. Folks should not be trapped. Impose useful conditions on private property owners who want future parcel mapping or development projects that block potential public evacuation routes. Open up new, readily usable fire exits so standard Tuolumne exit equipment will not include sledge hammers and bolt/chain cutters.

Steve Monroe

Sonora