California’s ‘Impenetrable’ Environmental Bureaucracy Left L.A. Hills Primed to Burn

In early September 2020, a wall of flames whipped through Big Creek Canyon northeast of Fresno, Calif., approaching Shaver Lake and the small village on its western shore.

The Creek Fire was one of the most aggressive wildfires that many of the state’s firefighters had ever battled. Over several months it burned more than 379,000 acres, making it one of the largest single fires in California history, according to news accounts.

About the Author

Ryan Mills

Ryan Mills was an enterprise and media reporter at National Review. He previously worked for 14 years as a breaking news reporter, investigative reporter, and editor at newspapers in Florida. Originally from Minnesota, Ryan lives in the Fort Myers area with his wife and two sons.

Featured Tags

In early September 2020, a wall of flames whipped through Big Creek Canyon northeast of Fresno, Calif., approaching Shaver Lake and the small village on its western shore.

The Creek Fire was one of the most aggressive wildfires that many of the state’s firefighters had ever battled. Over several months it burned more than 379,000 acres, making it one of the largest single fires in California history, according to news accounts.

About the Author

Ryan Mills

Ryan Mills was an enterprise and media reporter at National Review. He previously worked for 14 years as a breaking news reporter, investigative reporter, and editor at newspapers in Florida. Originally from Minnesota, Ryan lives in the Fort Myers area with his wife and two sons.