A shortage of brushfires? Never

A shortage of water? Maybe

It would be irresponsible to encourage a lackadaisical attitude among Californians when it comes to preventing brushfires.

Everyone should continue to clear their property if they live near open areas, foothills or mountains. Nobody should toss cigarettes or cigars from vehicle windows, and we should always be careful with campfires and barbecues. Don’t go off-roading in areas that are prone to fires and where a hot manifold or tailpipe could ignite the undergrowth.

At least some of the enormous fires across the western U.S. in recent years are being blamed on drought and too much success at (are you ready for this?) firefighting.

As hard as it is to accept, fires are a part of the natural scheme of things. If humanity disappeared tomorrow (a scary thought), there would still be brushfires and forest fires. Electrical discharges from thunderstorms and heat lightning alone would cause them.

Fires are part of nature’s plan. Much of the native plant life and chaparral in Southern California is stimulated to regrow after fires. Certain seeds won’t germinate unless they’ve been charred.

As terrifying as brushfires are, they’re part of life.

Some people claim that the longer an area goes without one, the worse the fire will be. Controlled burns are part of the wildfire prevention plan.

Speaking of plans, some experts are claiming that tree rings reveal long periods of drought in California’s ancient history, implying that the last century or two have been—if anything—wetter than normal.

Maybe it’s time to build another pipeline.

One thing is certain. Nothing else will matter if we don’t have water.