Marin County Habitants Disagree about Cutting Trees to Fight Wildfire

San Rafael residents told the City Council on March 18 that they do not want to cut down the city's trees, even if it would mean increased fire protection.

Fire department spokesperson Quinn Gardener said this plan is important for climate change, as well as fire protection, because wildfire impacts moisture, tree health, winds, temperatures, and humidity. Fires also release a large amount of carbon dioxide. As a reference, 2018 wildfire pollution equaled the pollution during a full average year in California.

Gardener said the plan would involve cutting trees to prevent fire, which many residents who attended the meeting objected to.

The plan also included vegetation management to reduce fuel available to start and spread fire. Fire department officials said they count on community efforts, which means everyone has to follow the rules to keep each other safe.

Gardener said one prevention effort will be “to expand goat grazing to maintain vegetation. The feedback was overwhelmingly positive on this suggestion”.

People are welcome to give their opinions online on the city of San Rafael city council website: cityofsanrafael.org.