Readers respond to Question of the Week:

Ban palm trees in fight against wildfires?

Palm trees aren’t necessarily the problem

Public agencies and home owners who don’t annually trim palm trees are the problem.

In a recent conversation with the mother of my daughter’s friend, she told me of how close her Hastings Ranch home was to the Eaton fire. Also, how a beautiful “native” landscaped home, near hers, burnt to the ground.

My suggestions: 1. Make sure your home’s roof has fire-retardant shingles and ember-proof screens on all vents. 2. Landscaping. No more native brush unruly plantings.

Go to your PC, search for desert landscapes for South Arizona. You will find beautiful fire-resistant landscapes there. To paraphrase Dylan: “The climates they are a changing.”

— Bob Ginn, Arcadia

Fire-resistant regulations are a must

Yes, the deadly Eaton and Pacific Palisades fires should most definitely prompt wider implementation of fire-resistant building regulations for all communities located in areas that could potentially be hit by similar wildfires. California’s fire-resistant building codes include provisions to protect homes in wildfire-prone areas. Updates introduced in 2019 expanded the fire safety requirements for homes built in wildland-urban interface zones, mandating the use of fire-resistant materials and other protective features. However, these regulations leave more urban neighborhoods like Altadena and others near the San Gabriel mountains under-protected. Thus, it would be a mistake not to at a minimum require new construction — including rebuilt homes — to include fire-retardant and preventive features.

— Paul A. Brown, Pasadena

Palm trees and wildfire rebuild

I agree that the type of vegetation during the rebuilding phase should be changed and restricted for landscapes. Palm trees, mesquite and eucalyptus trees are highly flammable and should not be permitted. Palm trees that grow up to 60 feet in height do not provide shade, and spread their seeds in spring. I have consulted a landscape architect (my brother) who says that succulents are not flammable and should be encouraged in landscapes.

— Roseanne Wegrich, Manhattan Beach