SACRAMENTO—Assemblymember Jim Wood provided this statement on CAL FIRE’s Report on cause of Tubbs Fire:
This report was 16 months in the making, longer than any other report on the causes of the devastating wildfires that have haunted California, and victims of the Tubbs fire have been on a rollercoaster ride of uncertainty for far too long. Sadly, the report will extend that uncertainty for many victims who still will not know how their lives can be made whole – as whole as one can be made after a tragedy like this. We know that we must move fast and aggressively to help all victims rebuild their lives and figure out what needs to be done to save more Californians from wildfire disasters in the future. Improving prevention and preparedness must be a key component of our efforts.
We need to look back to learn as much as we can and look forward to develop and implement policies that can save lives and support the rebuilding effort, including ensuring that in the future we have a responsible, reliable and affordable utility provider as a partner. This report leaves many victims without answers about how they will rebuild their lives. Identifying the path forward is our challenge and the victims deserve that.
This report does not change the fact that although other circumstances may have caused this fire, the loss of life and property and the devastation it has caused our people and communities needs our full attention and commitment.
###
Assemblymember Jim Wood (D-Santa Rosa) represents the 2nd Assembly District, which includes all of Del Norte, Trinity, Humboldt and Mendocino counties, plus northern and coastal Sonoma County, including the northern half of Santa Rosa.