Increasing development in California's Sierra Nevada Mountains is adding significantly to the area's fire risk. Some are calling for more scrutiny in the approval of further development in the fire-prone area.
"Having a picture window on the wilderness may be a dream come true, but according to a two-year study by the Sierra Nevada Alliance, the spate of new homes on the peaks, ridges and wildland areas threatens a disastrous fire. And taxpayers are picking up the bill for extra fire-protection measures."
"'There is a tremendous amount of population growth going on in these extreme fire danger areas,' said Autumn Bernstein, the alliance's land use coordinator and the author of the 45-page study, entitled 'Dangerous Development: Wildfire and Rural Sprawl in the Sierra Nevada.'"
"In response to the report, some county officials said they consider fire danger before approving new developments. New state laws also require homeowners to do more to protect their homes."
"The number of people living in the Sierra's extreme or very high fire-threat areas increased 16 percent between 1990 and 2000, according to the report. What's worse is that 94 percent of new home development planned in the Sierra Nevada is also within these danger zones."
FULL STORY: Rural sprawl in the Sierra raises the risk of wildfires

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Chicago’s Ghost Rails
Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.

Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail
The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.

Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power
Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.

MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns
MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.

Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant
A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Caltrans
City of Fort Worth
Mpact (founded as Rail~Volution)
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
City of Portland
City of Laramie