In May 2008 a fire started in the Santa Cruz Mountains, which ultimately destroyed over 30 homes. Many people lost their homes and property from this fire, but no people were hurt. On the day the fire started, in Corralitos, CA, the rumor was that fire may have been sparked by a blown electrical transformer, but fire investigators still have not determined the real cause of that blaze. This fire could have been much worse and Cal-Fire and all others associated with fighting it are the best in the nation and maybe the world. That fire was contained in a little over a week. But at the time this fire started the Official Fire season had not begun, so inspectors are not allowed to warn homeowners about the concept of defensible space. When a fire is creeping up a hill and your home is tightly surrounded by trees and bushes chances are firefighters will not try to defend it. They tend to defend homes where there is a fighting chance. Defensible space gives firefighters a chance to win...