California Fire Chief: Consider Ending Development in Fire Prone Areas

When will California listen to the experts and stop building in fire prone areas? Not today.

1 minute read

December 13, 2018, 1:00 PM PST

By James Brasuell @CasualBrasuell


Wildfire

Max Dunlap / Shutterstock

Don Thompson reports for the Associated Press in the wake of a devastating year of wildfires in the state of California.

Cal Fire Director Ken Pimlott is leaving his job after 30 years with the state fire agency and is making some fairly bold statements on the way out," according to Thompson. Pimlott told the Associated Press that the state's residents and political leadership must rethink its approach to development in fire-prone areas: both in the thick forests of Northern California and the chaparral environments of Southern California.

Pimlott's words fell on deaf ears in Los Angeles County, however, as the County Board of Supervisors this week approved 19,000 homes for development in Tejon Ranch, in a fire-prone area on the edge of the county's border with Kern County. Nina Agrawal provides news coverage of that approval.

Wednesday, December 12, 2018 in Associated Press via KCRA

View form second story inside Southdale Mall in Edina, Minnesota with escalators and model cars parked on downstairs floor.

The Mall Is Dead — Long Live the Mall

The American shopping mall may be closer to its original vision than ever.

March 21, 2024 - Governing

View of Austin, Texas skyline with river in foreground during morning golden hour.

The Paradox of American Housing

How the tension between housing as an asset and as an essential good keeps the supply inadequate and costs high.

March 26, 2024 - The Atlantic

Houston, Texas skyline.

Report: Las Vegas, Houston Top List of Least Affordable Cities

The report assesses the availability of affordable rental units for low-income households.

March 22, 2024 - Urban Edge

Aerial view of Anchorage, Alaska downtown with mountains in background at golden hour.

Anchorage Leaders Debate Zoning Reform Plan

Last year, the city produced the fewest new housing units in a decade.

March 28 - Anchorage Daily News

Young man in wheelchair crossing zebra crosswalk.

How to Protect Pedestrians With Disabilities

Public agencies don’t track traffic deaths and injuries involving disabled people, leaving a gap in data to guide safety interventions.

March 28 - Governing

Aerial view of mountain town of Steamboat Springs, Colorado in the winter with snow at dusk.

Colorado Town Fills Workforce Housing Need With ‘Dorm-Style’ Housing

Median rent in Steamboat Springs is $4,000 per month.

March 28 - CBS News

News from HUD User

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Call for Speakers

Mpact Transit + Community

New Updates on PD&R Edge

HUD's Office of Policy Development and Research

Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools

This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.

Planning for Universal Design

Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.