As you know the Eucalyptus trees in Oakland got a lot of negative press after the 1991 East Bay Oakland Firestorm.
It is said that these non native transplant trees from Australia were the main reason the fire storm raged out of control over the East Bay Hills. Well, that and the fact that it was during the Diablo Winds (Santa Anna Winds). The National Park Service says the Eucalyptus trees accounted for 70% of the energy consumed by plants and vegetation during the East Bay Fire Storm. How one measures that is beyond me.
Had the hills been littered with California Redwoods would it have burned as much? The Eucalyptus trees do have a strong fragrant oil that is flammable on the leaves and bark that collects on the ground around the base of the trees so spreading may be easier. The fire did jump 10 lanes of Highway 24 after all.
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Either way, should we use highly toxic pesticide Garlon 4 made by Dow Chemical to deforest the Oakland Hills and kill off all of the Eucalyptus trees?
Who the heck would fund such an environmental disaster?
Oh, FEMA of course.
Dow Chemical is the lesser known evil that partnered with Monsanto Corporation in the creation of Agent Orange. They are also responsible for GMO’s and extremely strong pesticides that are harming our nations top soil and farming industry. They are so toxic they kill off natural insects and animals that would normally live in the fields and farmlands.
Do we want to risk killing off the natural ecosystem in the Oakland hills that has adapted to the eucalyptus trees? With harmful pesticides?
The HCN(Hills Conservation Network) has issued an Action Alert and urged you to sign this petition.
Take Action Here.
Photo by Jerry Ting
Oakland Hills Fire
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