California’s Paradise Lost - WSJ

California’s Paradise Lost - WSJ:
"... “There is no reason for these massive, deadly and costly forest fires in California except that forest management is so poor,” Mr. Trump tweeted.
“Billions of dollars are given each year, with so many lives lost, all because of gross mismanagement of the forests. Remedy now, or no more Fed payments!”
...fueling the fires is an overgrown government bureaucracy that frustrates proper forest management.
About 57% of California forestland is owned by the federal government while most of the rest is private land regulated by the state.
Nearly 130 million trees died in California between 2010 and 2017 due to drought and a bark beetle infestation.
Dense forests put trees at greater risk for parasitic infection and enable fires to spread faster. 
When dead trees fall, they add more combustible fuel.
...California also restricts timber harvesting and requires myriad permits and environmental-impact statements to prune overgrown forests.
...One problem for landowners is disposing of deadwood.
Dozens of biomass facilities that burn tree parts that can’t be used for lumber have closed due to emissions regulations and competition from subsidized renewables and cheap natural gas..."
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