About 1.4 million acres burned in 2008
But no meaningful reforms are enacted at the state or federal level.
Lawmakers introduced a number of measures dealing with land use, fire prevention and protection. But the proposals stalled, or in the case of one major state bill, were vetoed.
"The solution is not just more engines, more airplanes," said Grijalva, who previously served as state fire marshal and Palo Alto's fire chief.
A bill written by Assemblyman Dave Jones (D-Sacramento) would have required that new subdivisions in high fire-risk areas have two access roads to ensure that residents could get out and fire engines could get in during an emergency. Developers also would have had to show that they had adequate water pressure and fire protection.
The proposal, supported by firefighter associations, was listed as a "job killer" by the state Chamber of Commerce,
The bill was passed by the Legislature but vetoed by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger.
clipped from: www.latimes.com