Brush Fire ‘Hysteria’

Re “Wildfire Dangers Grow as Hills Dry,” June 24: Local fire officials are starting their usual brush fire hysteria, based on the same old illogic. This year, because of the near record rains, the “greater than average” wildfire danger is due to the greater volume of dry brush. In other years of below-normal rainfall, the “greater than average” wildfire danger is due to the extra-dry conditions.

It is impossible always to have “greater than average” danger of wildfires. The concept of average flies out the window. The correct way to present the fire risk is to point out that, no matter what the previous winter’s rainfall, the brush on our hillsides, come autumn, is always tinder-dry and presents a high risk.

Jonathan Ball

Pasadena