I didnt know it was that bad in california. I just knew their energy sector had problems creating wildfires.
That was over 20 years ago. My impression is that things have only gotten worse since then.
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We need to ask some of the resident experts. If I recall, bellcurve is one of them. Im sure it has gotten worse, and the fires in the west coast seem to have gotten worse each year.
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Several of those fires have been started by incompetent management of those utilities.
@Bell_curve seems to see everything that happens on SN, but I'll tag him just in case.
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It was just a matter of time before he read the comment. Mismanagement and lack of awareness. I find it weird that there are so many fires over there, but not in the midwest.
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The midwest has far less forest and is far less arid.
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Up north, there is a lot of forest.
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Incompetent management is the biggest factor.
Man made fire problems are blamed on climate change. Proper management includes forced burning and/or cutting trees. A lot of left wing enviromental professors recommended this in 2003. I haven't kept up with the literature since.
The state has phased out oil drilling and nuclear plants; the next target is natural gas. Hydroelectric plants and dams are also being dismantled. The goal is to get all energy from solar and wind (an impossible goal).
edit: Trees consume too much water. The best part about California is fake not real trees.
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The problem in 2001 was market distortion caused by the state: power companies could had a ceiling for consumers (price control) but no ceiling for wholesalers (gouging).
Brave search ai has a decent explanation...
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