Wildfires don’t just happen on public lands

Last fall, while making a presentation to the Bonner County Planning Commission regarding the Comprehensive Plan, I stated that land use decisions must address the increasing chance of wildfire. I was told my concerns were irrelevant and that wildfires only happen on public lands.

Commissioner: “… A lot of the things you are referring to do not have anything to do with private lands. You’re talking about forest fires, which are mainly on state and federal lands.”

Me: “… We are just as susceptible to forest fires. Forest fires don’t know the line between public and private land. …”

Now with hundreds of homes burned, folks in Elk, Medical Lake and Hayden Lake would be alarmed to know that wildfire concerns for private land owners are irrelevant to our land use planning policies.

I’m left with these questions: What’s the criteria for accepting applications for planning commissioners? Can they be dismissed for such statements? How do citizens ask for their resignation? How are local land use plans and policies addressing wildfires [and other impacts of climate change]?

Numerous resources exist that could help our county assess vulnerabilities, generate solutions, and rewrite code/ordinances to make us safer. Counties nationwide are getting assistance. Call your local officials and request the creation of a Bonner County resiliency plan that then integrates into all our land use planning processes.

My final question: Do certain commissioners prefer that we are ostriches hiding our heads in the sand?

NANCY GILLIAM

Sagle