Letter to the editor: What California’s fires can teach us

The disaster has sparked the concern of Greenburgh Town Supervisor Paul Feiner.

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In recent years there have been wildfires and brush fires in Westchester County, New Jersey, and Long Island. These fires have occurred during dry months and periods of drought. There are many wooded areas near residential homes in the Scarsdale/Edgemont/Hartsdale area. Although the climates in Los Angeles and in the North are different, and the chances of a brush fire doing extensive damage is less likely in the NY area than in California, it’s possible that a worst-case scenario could occur: drought, heavy winds, and fires in wooded areas close to residential neighborhoods.

Are we prepared?  Can NY localities and the state do anything differently to prepare for this kind of crisis? Should there be a required annual preparation assessment of every locality, with recommendations?

Leaders and residents in LA thought a worst-case scenario wouldn’t happen—and it did.

PAUL FEINER

Greenburgh Town Supervisor