Why can't California control the wildfires?

I am currently working on a fire in ukiah,ca and have spent 7 years as a wildland firefighter in California.

What you are asking depends on what side of the fence you fall on. I cannot say the truth due to my agency rules but a lot different parties are to blame for our current conditions both in the private sector and public sector. The wildland fire suppression has become a big business along with environmentalists who think they are doing the right thing. Research the difference between conservative vs preservation and you will find the truth

The same questions are asked here in Florida. Every so many years we get wild fires that also get out of control. And the same talking heads will say the same things

"Why doesn't Florida have enough fire trucks?"
"Why don't we pre-burn 'problem' areas?"

And progress will be made and then - as if by magic - a politician will be on TV without a flag lapel pin or a politician will be talking of groping a woman or a politician will be harboring classified emails on their server and next thing ya know...the population will forget. Till the next fire of course...

Good article. Hopefully when the rebuilding starts, these people have learned something, even though only for the short term.