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This archival content was originally written for and published on KPCC.org. Keep in mind that links and images may no longer work — and references may be outdated.

KPCC Archive

Fire officials' dilemma: How to deal with those who defy evacuation orders

The map shows homes in the Ondulando and Clearpoint neighborhoods that were destroyed in the Thomas Fire, and the arrow indicates a home that was saved by a man who stayed behind after a mandatory evacuation order.
The map shows homes in the Ondulando and Clearpoint neighborhoods that were destroyed in the Thomas Fire, and the arrow indicates a home that was saved by a man who stayed behind after a mandatory evacuation order.
(
Ventura Fire Department
)

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Fire officials' dilemma: How to deal with those who defy evacuation orders

It happens in every big wildfire. Officials issue mandatory evacuation orders, but some people stay behind and try to save their homes. Sometimes they succeed, and that raises a policy question that firefighters would rather not confront.

Read more on LAist.com: This Is Why Fire Officials Don't Want You To Stay And Defend Your Home

This story is part of Elemental: Covering Sustainability, a multimedia collaboration between Cronkite News, Arizona PBS, KJZZ, KPCC, Rocky Mountain PBS and PBS SoCal.

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