"We are not helpless in solving the wildfire crisis in California."
These words of author Thomas Pandola form the passion and the premise of
this, his first solo book, Big Fires Start Small. Following his
service of twenty-five years with the LAFD, Pandola witnessed the annual
loss of lives and property and experienced the side effects from the
smoke caused by California's wildfire crisis, knowing all along that
there is a better way to fight back against wildfires. In these pages,
Pandola shares his wisdom and insight.
Beginning with a brief historical perspective, his personal experience
with wildfires, supported by quotes from experts and elected officials,
he looks at the current wildfire paradigm, and lessons from other
wildfire disasters, Pandola shares a scientific explanation of wildfires
and the dangers of smoke caused by them. He goes on to explain the
complications of fighting wildfires in California and why a paradigm
shift is necessary. This sets the stage to offer his specific
recommendations for a new wildfire paradigm.
The current business as usual in wild land management and firefighting
in California is not sustainable. Solutions are available with the
collective will to create a new wildfire paradigm. Big Fires Start
Small is a must-read for elected officials and emergency management
professionals in California, those living in a wild land area, and those
living in the state of California who are exposed to extremely unhealthy
air quality every year due to wildfires.
