Caitlyn Jenner has blamed poor land management by California officials for the wildfire crisis still menacing the state.
The Olympian accused the forestry service of ‘hypocrisy’ by insisting homeowners clear their properties of undergrowth, while leaving their own lands to grow wild.
Jenner shared a photo showing how her property backs on to overgrown public lands, which she branded ‘a major liability’.
‘My 13 acre property in Malibu backs up to CA state land (circled in red). Notice the difference between my grounds keeping and the states?’ Jenner wrote on X.
‘No under brush or forest management by the state on their lands- providing a plethora of fuel for wildfires. No underbrush on my land.
‘The only reason my home survived the last round of fires was because of the ground clearance we are mandated to do.’
She went on to claim having state lands on her boundary is ‘dangerous and a major liability’ as the forestry service ‘don’t follow any standards or provide ground clearance the way they force their over taxed citizens to’.
Caitlyn Jenner blamed poor land management by California officials for the wildfire crisis still menacing the state
She shared a photo showing how her property backs onto overgrown public lands, which she branded ‘a major liability’
‘We have extremely high property taxes and are held to high standards of ground clearance to prevent fires from spreading. CA=HYPOCRISY’ Jenner fumed.
The CALFire website indicates that homeowners are required to keep 100 feet of ‘defensible space’ by removing potentially flammable growth.
The first 30 feet must also be totally clear of dead or dry vegetation and space must be created between trees.
However, it warns that in some counties the requirements are even stricter. For example, in San Diego homeowners must totally clear the first 50 feet.
While many agreed with Jenner, some suggested that fire proofing in at-risk areas is a responsibility that should be born by homeowners who choose to live there.
‘Should taxpayers be forced to foot the bill to keep homes safe for the wealthy elites who choose to live in these ultra fire prone hills in the most fire prone state?’ One person wrote.
‘Because you choose to live in these areas with gorgeous land and views we have to provide infrastructure like sewers, roads, water systems, emergency services, and now expensive fire prevention measures—all funded by taxpayers who may never set foot in your exclusive neighborhood.
‘Why should the average citizen, struggling to make ends meet in a modest home, be responsible for subsidizing the luxurious lifestyles of those who knowingly choose to build in high-risk areas?’
The Olympian accused the forestry service of ‘hypocrisy’ by insisting that homeowners clear their properties of undergrowth, while leaving their own lands to grow wild
At least 24 people have been killed and more than 12,000 structures destroyed in an estimated $40 billion of damage as a result of the fires
But Jenner hit back stating that: ‘the state should maintain its lands’.
‘It’s a basic service- forest management- all of the taxes paid by ‘we the people’ already pay for and must demand from our leaders,’ she said.
The Fox News contributor confirmed that her $3.5 million Malibu home is safe and unaffected by the fires.
Thousands of other Californians have not been so lucky, including some celebrity neighbors.
Around 170,000 people were under evacuation orders or warnings as of Monday morning.
At least 24 people have been killed and more than 12,000 structures destroyed in an estimated $40 billion of damage as a result of the fires.
Firefighters in the Golden State could could encounter fire tornadoes, a rare but dangerous phenomenon in which wildfires create their own weather.
The National Weather Service warned Tuesday that the combination of high winds and severely dry conditions have created a ‘particularly dangerous situation’ in which any new fire could explode in size.
The advisory, which runs into Wednesday, didn´t mention tornadoes, but meteorologist Todd Hall said they’re possible given the extreme conditions.
DailyMail.com has contacted CALFire for comment.
