Ignoring science can be devastating

Valley’s Edge supporters claim the project has been in planning for 14 years. Unfortunately, it is a future of the past, before the effects of climate change and mega-fires. The plans were developed before 13 of California’s most destructive wildfires occurred. Meg-fires like the 2017 Tubbs Fire costing $1.2 billion, killing 22 people and ravaging the 1,300 homes in Santa Rosa. Or the 2018 Carr Fire costing $1.6 billion, killing eight people and devastating 300 SRA fire safe regulation homes in Redding. Or the Camp Fire costing $16.5 billion, killing 85 people and almost entering Chico, where Valley’s Edge will be built.

The EIR was approved upon a 2007 fire hazard map, ancient history when it comes to the latest research, especially since the 2022 Chico Community Wildfire Protection Plan identifies the area as highest risk for wildfires.

Old data can have disastrous consequences. A 2018 report indicates climate change was a contributor to the Oroville Spillway collapse. Reservoir managers used historical climate records in reservoir management strategies instead of current climate change data. This allowed the reservoir to overflow with underestimated floodwater causing $1.1 billion in damages to the spillway and the largest emergency evacuation in California history.

The California Department of Insurance predicts that 77% more acres will burn annually across California by the year 2100. This is why current data is so paramount in planning our future public safety. The Camp Fire was a forewarning to be heeded with the strategies of science in protecting us from the coming mega-fires.