As fires devestate California, we are hearing more and more about the government regulations set up by groups like Unions and Environmental watch dog groups which are causing more harm than good. I've heard stories about volunteer firefighters from other states being turned away because they didn't lack credentials according to California's Union Firefirefighters.
Now word comes that hours after this massive fire started, when it was only a small manageable fire, fire fighters refused to go after it because it was 11 minutes after twilight and ariel planes used to fight fires were not permitted to fly.
This comes from the San Fransisco Gate:
The first helicopter pilot to see the patch of flames that would become the catastrophic Cedar Fire radioed for aerial water drops, but state firefighters rejected his request because it came minutes after such flights had been grounded for the night.
Let me see, "lets let this fire burn out of control for a night as not to break Union or OSHA rules.
The helicopter with the dump bucket flew within five miles of the fire, before state officials told it to turn back, Weldon said. The air tankers never took off. Weldon was told crews would attack the fire in the morning.
"We were basically just offering our assistance fighting their fire, and they turned it down," said Weldon, who with his partner delivered the hunter to law enforcement officials who cited him for setting an unauthorized fire. "I was frustrated about it, but I wasn't surprised."
When will people start using common sense. These intrusive government regulations are making it hard for these firefighters to do their jobs. What's worse, California's strict environmental codes allow more fuel for this fire to lay around.
Lastly even in this mess, government officials like the State fire chief and soon to be former governor Gray Davis are using this as a way to call for more tax hikes and attack those who wish to cut spending or lower taxes.
I'll have more on that later.
