surveys in California 's greater Francisco Bay area have identified 10 local areas that seem to have the greatest potential for a fire . Collectively , there are many community problems that cause firefighters great concern : a preponderance of residential homes ; low roofs ; winding , steep or narrow roads ; dense vegetation ; mix of dense homes and dry forest ; weak bridges ; few fire stations ; longer fire alarm response times ; limited or uncertain water supply ; gridlock from fleeing residents ; failure of residents to comply with fire codes . Firefighters argue overall that moving into wooded seclusion and natural beauty exacts a cost in fire protection .
Officials in California's San Francisco Bay area have identified 10 local areas that seem to have the greatest potential for a firestorm. Collectively, there are many community problems that cause firefighters great concern: a preponderance of wood homes; shake roofs; winding, steep or narrow roads; dense vegetation; mix of dense homes and dry forest; weak bridges; few fire stations; longer fire alarm response times; limited or uncertain water supply; gridlock from fleeing residents; failure of residents to comply with fire codes. Firefighters complain overall that moving into wooded seclusion and natural beauty exacts a cost in fire protection.