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  • Environment
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Study: Forest Fuel Reduction Cheaper Than Fighting Fires

  •  Ky Plaskon 
Tuesday, April 15, 2014 | Sacramento, CA
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USFS Region 5 / Flickr
 

USFS Region 5 / Flickr

A study by the U.S. Forest Service and conservation groups finds that fuel reduction efforts along the western Sierra can reduce the risk of wildfire by 70 percent. The problem now is where to find the money for forest fuel reduction.

Five scenarios were studied in the Mokelumne Watershed, which provides water for 1.3 million customers in the area east of San Francisco Bay.

The three-year study shows that an “average” fire would have minimal effect on the water supply, but firefighting, and the damage to homes and infrastructure, would cost up to $224 million. Fuel reduction efforts, on the other hand, would cost  $68 million.

Kim Carr with the Sierra Nevada Conservancy says the challenge is finding a way to pay for the fuel reduction.

“Increase the number of investors in order to do this work on the front end, prevent the catastrophic fires, restore the health of the forest and save money," says Carr.

Carr has begun talks with the East Bay Municipal Utility District about raising water rates to pay for fuel reduction efforts. Carr says $5 per customer per year would make a difference.

"Rate payers, but then also larger businesses, high-volume users, industry," says Carr.

The District is considering surveying customers about their willingness to pay for fuel reduction.


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    More about wildfire

  • Andrew Nixon / CapRadio

    California Wildfires: Latest Updates

    CapRadio provides the latest information and updates on wildfires hitting the state, and resources for listeners to help prepare, follow and respond to fire.

 environmentwaterfirewildfireratecustomerKim CarrSierra Nevada ConservancyUS Forest Service

Ky Plaskon

Former Contributing Sierra/Reno Reporter

Ky was a contributing reporter to Capital Public Radio through June 2015.  Read Full Bio 

 Email Ky Plaskon

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