Thousand Oaks Fire

The article “Fire Sweeps Near Posh Homes in Thousand Oaks,” Aug. 15, raised several questions concerning the Ventura County Fire Department’s policies:

“Officials said they might seek to recoup the cost of fighting the blaze if the homeowner was working without proper permits.” The homeowner in question was using a grinder on his wrought-iron fence. How many homeowners realize they must have a permit to work around their own house?

A lawn mower can get hot enough or throw a spark out the exhaust and start a fire. Do we need a permit to mow or to use a weed whacker?

Another question deals with the enforcement of fire safety. Our neighbor across the canyon periodically has open “warming fires” in the evening on his uncovered deck overlooking Wildwood Park. The flames have reached at least five feet and sparks have gone over the peak of the roof. This has happened when the day temperatures have been in the triple digits. A phone call to the fire department confirmed this was illegal. The next time the “warming fire” was blazing, I asked the fire department to come into my backyard and observe the situation. They said the fire was a bit too large but that a “warming fire” is legal. They then went to the neighbor with the fire and talked but the fires continue to this day.

Why is a permit needed for using a grinder but not for having an open fire on the edge of a dry park?

In El Dorado County in Northern California, fire permits are denied during the fire danger season. Why doesn’t Ventura County have a fire permit policy, especially for volatile areas?

Sandi Wells, Ventura County Fire Department spokesperson, said, “If they had a permit to grind . . . it’s an accident.” This implies that the only way to have an accident is to take out a permit first. It seems to me that an accident is an accident, whether or not one has a permit.

I think the Ventura County Fire Department had better review its fire regulations, making them logical and understandable.

BOB FAHRNBRUCH, Thousand Oaks

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Well, you’ve done it again. Your ludicrous article about the firs in North Ranch reflects the mind-set of those types of people . . . as well as your reporters.

” . . . Posh homes in Thousand Oaks . . . “

” . . . a plush neighborhood east of North Ranch . . . “

” . . . her black Range Rover . . . “

Golly, is a fire more serious if it threatens North Ranch houses than if it threatens the homes of the unwashed?

Finally, you report that the “1,000 luxury homes [are] worth a total of up to $50 million . . . “

Ah, so. My math indicates those houses are worth $50,000 each. Golly, our house is worth more than that.

Next time report the who, what, where, etc. and leave “posh” and “Range Rovers” to Journalism 101 class.

BOB KOCHER, Thousand Oaks