The politics and policies of fighting fires

Should government do more to discourage building in wildlife-urban interfaces, or are there better means of protecting homes in fire-prone areas? Adam B. Summers and William Stewart debate.

William Stewart says individual communities should take more responsibility for protecting themselves. Adam B. Summers says the federal government does a poor job of reducing the fire danger on land it owns.

Adam B. Summers says the private sector should play a bigger role. William Stewart says California ought to stress the responsibility of homeowners in preventing wildfires.