Yes, cities should be required to have detailed evacuation plans, especially those at high risk for wildfires. The tragic outcomes of the Camp Fire, which resulted in 85 deaths and the destruction of nearly 19,000 buildings, highlight the dire consequences of inadequate planning. The USA TODAY Network-California survey indicates that only 22% of these communities, including Paradise, have a robust evacuation plan, pointing to a significant gap in preparedness. With many motorists becoming trapped in traffic during evacuations, it is clear that detailed plans are crucial for ensuring public safety during such disasters.
Counterintuitive as it may sound, Paradise has some of the strongest evacuation planning in California. In fact, a USA TODAY Network-California survey of communities at high risk from wildfires found only 22% (including Paradise) have a robust, publicly available evacuation plan. The scale of disaster in the Camp Fire was unprecedented, but the scene of people fleeing wildfires was familiar, repeated numerous times over the past three years up and down California from Redding and Paradise to Santa Rosa, Ventura, and Malibu. In many of those communities, motorists became stuck in traffic as officials tried to evacuate thousands onto a few roads leading away from the flames. NO REQUIREMENT TO PLAN The 85 deaths and nearly 19,000 buildings destroyed in Paradise’s Camp Fire made it the deadliest and most destructive blaze in California history. Eight of those who perished were found in their vehicles, with two others found outside their vehicles. In some spots, burned-out and abandoned vehicles lined roads leading out of town. Should cities be required to have detailed evacuation plans? In 3–5 sentences, answer the question and provide specific textual evidence to support your analysis.\The answer is very clear. The answer is fully supported by details. There may be a few errors in grammar, usage, or mechanics. Errors do not interfere with meaning.
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