有人在我发的博文“南加州大火的主要原因” 下面留了评论： “一句话，支持民主党的就算再烧十次还是觉得情有可原，那么多善良友好又有爱心的政客应该一直领导加州奔向更美好的未来。” 我觉得这位朋友对我发的文章有些误解，所以下面做一个澄清。
下面主要是讨论在南加州不同党派对火灾风险控制的影响。（北加州情况有所不同，比如民主党人偏向于反对伐木，对北加州的火灾控制应该是不利的。 但是南加州常常有火灾的地方本来就没有深林，都是灌木火， 所以是否伐木对南加州影响不大。）
美国的党派对不同问题的影响不同。 比如对于流浪者问题，共和党控制的市（比如 Irvine， Newport Beach) 就管的很好, 基本上就没有流浪者问题。而民主党控制的市（比如洛杉矶），流浪者问题就非常严重。 在民主党控制的市里，如果居民反映一个流浪者离他的店太近，影响生意，警察去了后会劝他去收容所（shelter），但是如果他拒绝，警察还不能逮捕他。 如果一个流浪者的车（homeless van) 停在你公司门口，只要他不是连续停72小时，警察就没办法。他只需要每72小时往前挪一点，就可以又停72小时。 在共和党控制的市比如Irvine，哪怕只要一个流浪者推了个购物车在人行道上走，也很快就会被警警拦截，罪名很好定，至少推的购物车算是偷的。
但是火灾防范问题好像跟党派没有多大关系。 美国除了州有建筑规范，各市也有自己的建筑规范。 跟火灾防范有关的建筑规范（building code)更多的是各市在管。火灾风险大的市规范会严格一些。 建筑过程中每一步来做检查（inspection）的都是市里的检查员（inspector). 比如木结构做好，在木结构之间做好电线和上下水管道后，必须等检查员来检查过才能上石膏板。 有时候检查员忙，哪怕停工也必须等。（如果不等检查员来就上了石膏板，检查员就看不到布线是否满足防火要求， 木头是否做了防火处理。这种情况真的发生过，后果就是被勒令把石膏板全部拆了等待检查。） 所以建筑防火要求，还有房子周围要有多少距离的隔离带之类的要求，实际上是市政府控制的。
我刚刚去查了下，比较了一下南加州两个富人集中的海边城市，一个是共和党人当政的 Newport Beach (老虎伍兹，已经去世的科比，巴菲特的伙伴芒格 等的房子都在这里），另外一个是几乎年年着火的民主党人当政的 Malibu (好莱坞明星扎堆的地方，刚知道拜顿的儿子也在这里有豪宅，也被烧了）。 我想既然 Newport Beach 不经常着火，是不是因为 Newport Beach 防火方面做的更好呢 ？ 结果发现事实相反， Maliu 在防火方面的管理要严格很多。 Malibu 管理严格的原因不是民主党的功劳， 而是应为Malibu 属于“极高火灾风险区 Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone (VHFHSZ)”.
下面是AI 提供的两个市防火要求的对比：
Do City of Newport beach and City of Malibu have different building codes and other measures for wild fire prevention?
ChatGPT
Yes, the City of Newport Beach and the City of Malibu have different building codes and wildfire prevention measures due to their distinct geographic, environmental, and risk profiles. Below are the key factors explaining these differences:
- Fire Hazard Severity Zone: Malibu is located in a Very High Fire Hazard Severity Zone (VHFHSZ), as designated by CAL FIRE. The city's rugged terrain, dense vegetation, and frequent high winds (like Santa Ana winds) make it highly susceptible to wildfires.
- Building Codes: Malibu enforces strict building codes focused on fire resilience, including:
- Use of ignition-resistant materials for roofing, siding, and decks.
- Installation of fire-resistant windows and vents to prevent ember intrusion.
- Mandated defensible space around structures (e.g., brush clearance within 100 feet of homes).
- Wildfire Prevention Programs:
- Annual inspections for defensible space compliance.
- Strict regulations for landscaping, such as limiting flammable plants.
- Participation in the Firewise USA® program to educate residents about fire safety.
- Emergency Measures: Malibu has a robust evacuation plan and uses advanced fire monitoring and warning systems.
- Fire Hazard Severity Zone: Newport Beach is generally not in a VHFHSZ, as it is a coastal community with more urbanized areas and less wildfire-prone vegetation.
- Building Codes: The city adheres to California Building Standards Code but does not have as many fire-specific requirements as Malibu. Wildfire-related codes may include:
- Requirements for fire-safe construction in hillside areas near open spaces.
- Basic defensible space rules for properties adjacent to wildlands.
- Wildfire Prevention Programs:
- Focused on areas near Upper Newport Bay and Buck Gully Reserve, which have some wildfire risk.
- Vegetation management programs in parks and natural areas.
- Emergency Measures: Newport Beach has general emergency preparedness plans but less focus on wildfire evacuation compared to Malibu.
| Category | Malibu | Newport Beach |
|---|---|---|
| Fire Hazard Severity | Very High | Low to Moderate |
| Defensible Space | Strictly enforced | Limited to certain areas |
| Building Materials | Fire-resistant required | Standard materials allowed |
| Vegetation Management | Comprehensive | Limited to specific reserves |
| Evacuation Planning | Wildfire-specific focus | General emergency focus |
- Geography: Malibu’s mountainous terrain and wildland-urban interface make it prone to wildfires, whereas Newport Beach's coastal environment has fewer ignition sources and more urbanized areas.
- Risk Profile: Malibu has experienced devastating wildfires, such as the Woolsey Fire (2018), while Newport Beach’s primary natural hazards are more related to coastal flooding and earthquakes.
- State Mandates: Both cities comply with California fire safety laws, but additional local ordinances in Malibu reflect its elevated wildfire risk.
