Opening

Flag salute—Larry Wilde

Inspirational Moment -- read by Renee Halbrook

“Anger has a bad rap, but it is actually one of the most hopeful and forward thinking of all our emotions. It begets transformation, manifesting our passion and keeping us invested in the world. It is a rational and emotional response to trespass, violation, and moral disorder. It bridges the divide between what “is” and what “ought” to be, between a difficult past and an improved possibility.” 

― Soraya Chemaly, Rage Becomes Her: The Power of Women's Anger

 

Rotarian Visitors and Guests

Visiting Rotarians: none

Guests: 

Al West – his wife, Joyce

Carl Gross – Bob Roper—Today's speaker

Fern -Candice Delbo

Jenny partner of Barry Verga

Gary Liptek, new Rotarian by Sue Gilbraith

 

Announcements

 

Taste of Ojai this Sunday, 10/27 at Libbey Park.

 

Janet Cambell and Bret Nighman- Taste of Ojai—ad in Ojai Valley news designed by Leah Hecker Majestic Winery

Silent Auction –can start voting now—use the QR code or

click here.

Thanks to Deirdre Daly and Bret Nighman

 

Catherine Lee—We were informed of the bloodmobile drive. Contact Catherine for further information.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Polio plus—Bob Davis and Mike Weaver – next week is Rotary Polio Day. Both shared stories of family and friends whose lives were affected by Polio, and encourage continued donations to keep Polio from spreading again

Dierdre—upcoming speakers – 

10/25-No meeting.  See you at Taste of Ojai on 10/27

11/1 Rain Perry singer songwriter 

11/8 George Smith “Soldier of the Airwaves” friend of bob davis

11/15 Codirectors of Help of Ojai Jane Walter and Megan Tefler--50th Anniversary of Help of Ojai

 

Fining – Christine Golden focused on fires

Confessions – 

Wendy – tonight (10/18) free event line dancing at the museum

Next Saturday – Halloween bash.

Christine Fenn—Friday 25 mayoral candidate Michel Pinero at 5:30

10/28 Andy Gilman 5:30

 

 

 

 

Museum Moment:

Mandalas have been painted for over 30 years to celebrate Ojai. Very mathematically complicated. They have become more expansive over the years. In 2020, they moved it to the park. Used to be just for 1 day. Now Evergreen, River and Mary, do it in the park around the fountain.

 

The Program: The Future of Wildfires in 2050 & Beyond

Dierdre Daly introduced our Speaker, Bob Roper 

 

Chief Bob Roper, over 30-year veteran of the fire department. Chief Chief Roper has worn many hats within the fire department, including incident commander on various membership. Recently inducted into Fire Chief Hall of Fame

 

In 1976 bought first house in Meiners Oaks. During a remodel, they had a small flood, called fire department who helped mop out the floors. He was recruited in part because of how much help he received.  Started as a volunteer fire fighter. 

Here is a link to his biography: https://wfca.com/board-of-directors/bob-roper/

Wildfires are here to stay. Indigenous tribes lived with wildfires.

Nemesis is Smoky the Bear because the campaign promoted fire prevention, when the focus should be on fire protection. 

Prevention strategies over time lead to  fuel build up . Response has never become commiserate with the amount of fires.

In 2050 we will have 30% more wildfires more than today. And earth temperature will increase by 2.5 degrees Celsius 

More devastation, more social and economic divisions, those who can afford to manage fire risk without insurance to will continue to live in recreational areas.Recreational areas will no longer be forest, but will be converted to chaparral or brush due to multiple fires.

How many of us will be here in 25 years? Think about kids and grandkids. Policy makers won’t be around, we need policy makers in their 20s and 30s.

California, put water in the futures market. 

Smoke is no longer confined to the fire area.

Governer Newsom became a much bigger proponent of wildfire, because of the Camp fire.

Wildfires will compete with other natural disasters for funding.

Hurricanes in East with Wildfires on the West coast. Wildfires will also be in competition with national security concern.

Effects of wildfires worsen as population increases. 

Ojai used to have housing allocation . California changed the rules, allowing ADUs without addressing increased traffic flows which will make the road congestion worse during times of evacuation.

Options—

There are a lot of options, but not political will or ability

Consider 3-legged stool

Legs of resilience are 

Fuels, communities and response

We can do prescribed burns, that will take out small areas of land , and control smoke.

Good Fire vs Bad Fire

Bad fire total devastation

Good fire-controlled fire with objectives

 

In general, more devastation on the edges of the fire. But were able to manage more “good fire” in the center, through proper management

Home hardening: look at roofs, tree cover, defensible space, maintenance. 

People are waiting for a fire truck in each driveway, but there is not enough government resources to do anything like that, so individual responsibility is key.

Enforcement for weed abatement defensible space.

Insurance issue, haves and have nots. Insurance commissioner, as elective official, wants to keep votes to be in office.

Some may go without fire insurance, like vulnerable seniors. 

Ojai was the donut hole in the Thomas fire. We were lucky the wind shifted. 

Fire department just regraded Shelf Road. 

Response – let’s get more airplanes and fire trucks and ground forces – 

Drop retardant – only slows fire

Used to have 5k inmates doing fire remediation—now due to early release, fewer people available—we have to pay people now

Autonomous black hawk – called RAIN – where manned equipment is not available.

Drones—as fire is detected, 10 gallons of water each to keep initial fire small.

Won’t see significant improvement until 2050, things will get worse before they get better. 

First dedicated satellite this year – refresh every 15 minutes in the US. Will be able to detect 9 ft diameter fire anywhere in the US

Decision support tools. Can see smoke over mountain, AI will help to detect fire, find exact location, and show what resources are available and basic plans and automation, cusp in next 2 years. Should make a sizable difference.

Remember the FRAM ad:

“You can pay me now or pay me later”

Either pay now to harden homes or pay for recovery of giant fires down the road. 

2060 – when programs will meet with resilience plans to make any effective change. So, we need to do more grass roots stuff and individual responsibility. Hopefully decrease devastation in 2060

Thank-You, Bob for a great presentation and food for thought!

 

You are invited to visit us at an upcoming meeting.