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Many fire-prone California towns don’t plan for evacuations

Counterintuitive as it may sound, Paradise has some of the strongest evacuation planning in California. In fact, a USA TODAY Network-California survey of communities at high risk from wildfires found only 22% (including Paradise) have a robust, publicly available evacuation plan.

The scale of disaster in the Camp Fire was unprecedented, but the scene of people fleeing wildfires was familiar, repeated numerous times over the past three years up and down California from Redding and Paradise to Santa Rosa, Ventura, and Malibu.

In many of those communities, motorists became stuck in traffic as officials tried to evacuate thousands onto a few roads leading away from the flames.

NO REQUIREMENT TO PLAN

The 85 deaths and nearly 19,000 buildings destroyed in Paradise’s Camp Fire made it the deadliest and most destructive blaze in California history. Eight of those who perished were found in their vehicles, with two others found outside their vehicles.

In some spots, burned-out and abandoned vehicles lined roads leading out of town.

Should cities be required to have detailed evacuation plans? In 3–5 sentences, answer the question and provide specific textual evidence to support your analysis.

Yes, cities should be required to have detailed evacuation plans. The lack of evacuation planning in fire-prone California towns puts residents at significant risk during wildfire events. According to a USA TODAY Network-California survey, only 22% of communities at high risk from wildfires have a robust, publicly available evacuation plan. This lack of planning has resulted in motorists being stuck in traffic as they try to evacuate, which can be extremely dangerous and potentially deadly. Furthermore, the Camp Fire in Paradise, which claimed 85 lives and destroyed nearly 19,000 buildings, highlighted the need for comprehensive evacuation plans to ensure the safety of residents.

Cities should be required to have detailed evacuation plans in order to ensure the safety of their residents during emergencies like wildfires. The fact that only 22% of high-risk communities in California, including Paradise, have robust, publicly available evacuation plans indicates a lack of preparedness. The Camp Fire, which resulted in 85 deaths and the destruction of nearly 19,000 buildings, showcased the devastating consequences of inadequate evacuation planning. Furthermore, the presence of burned-out and abandoned vehicles along the escape routes highlights the chaos and potential danger that can arise without proper plans in place. Requiring cities to have detailed evacuation plans would help prevent loss of life and property during emergencies.