Planes aren't preparation tho. Preparation is managing the forests, removing underbush, and creating fire breaks. Trees are wet and hard to burn under normal circumstances. It's the dry forest floors that cause the problems, and something that can and definitely should have been managed given the known risks. This isn't hindsight. This is stuff people had been warning about and asking for for a long time
I don't think people actually realise how bad this situation is going to be for people that lost houses. Cali is horrendous for getting stuff built, so even if people did have the money, good luck wading through the planning process for the next 2 years, and good luck finding a builder. I think these neighbourhoods are going to be derelict for a decade unless there is just a huge land buy out and redevelopment. And even then, who's going to want to buy a house there given the risk and inability to get insurance?
Planes are preparation. If you have a hundred planes ready and waiting, before a major fire, then you are in better position than having no planes prepared, surely?
The planing process will be easy to work through as the vast majority will be rebuilds of existing properties where permission has already been given and there will be a fast track procedure by authorities, for obvious reasons
Teams of builders will be flown in from around the US, as happens regularly with their familiarity with big fires, to get things moving as Insurers will be wanting folk back in their properties asap to avoid temporary accommodation costs soaring. National Government aid will also be important.
the 'inability' to get insurance will be factor but not a big a you make out a new buildings will have far more fire retardant materials and fir suppression systems in place. In Santa Barbara after fires 5 years ago many houses were rebuilt with external sprinkler systems installed. Lessons will be learnt and the new properties will be far better prepared
