Summary

Chapter 5, "Too Big to Burn," begins the second section of the book, "Part Two:The Drought." The chapter discusses the increasing problems of wildfires in Southern California. In the past, the fires usually occurred during specific season. Now, they are common throughout the year. One reason for the increase in fires is that climate change has created more fuel by making hot weather even hotter. This has lengthened growing seasons and summers. It has also created warmer winters in which parasitic larvae such as pine beetles and tent caterpillars can flourish, killing forests and creating more dead wood. In response, private firefighting agencies have begun to flourish, sometimes partnering with insurance companies and targeting areas with expensive homes, offering special fire retardant sprays, and other protection services. However, the private companies are seen by the author as grossly inefficient in...