PLATFORM : The Next Big Fire?

The next big fire we have (in Malibu) could be worse than anyone has imagined. This isn’t the rural community it once was.

People think of the oceanfront and movie stars when they think of Malibu, but the bulk of the community has always been in the hills. And those hills are filling up with mansions. It used to be that homes were 3,000 to 5,000 square feet. Now, homes of 8,000 to 10,000 square feet are almost the rule. Most are being built along narrow, winding roads high above the ocean, on a ridgeline if the builder can get it--In other words, the worst places you can be when a mountain fire roars out of control. It’s the Malibu dream. But in terms of fire danger, it’s a nightmare waiting to happen. When you raise these issues with the county, (officials) look at you like you’re talking about traffic congestion. The attitude is, it’s a fact of life. Well, unfortunately, there’s also a price you pay. The sad part is, it may take a disaster of giant proportions before people rethink what is being allowed.