{
	"type": "rich",
	"version": "1.0",
	"provider_name": "Action Network",
	"provider_url": "https://actionnetwork.org",
	
	"html": "<link href='https://actionnetwork.org/css/style-embed-v3.css' rel='stylesheet' type='text/css' /><script src='https://actionnetwork.org/widgets/v6/petition/tree-loss-equals-more-forest-fires?format=js&source=widget'></script><div id='can-petition-area-tree-loss-equals-more-forest-fires' style='width: 100%'><!-- this div is the target for our HTML insertion --></div>",
	"author_name": "Friends of Trees",
	"author_url": "https://actionnetwork.org/groups/friends-of-trees",
	"title": "Tree Loss Equals more Forest Fires",
	"thumbnail_url": "https://actionnetwork.org//images/generic_facebook.jpg",
	"description": "Washington&#x27;s State Building Code Council (SBCC) in November 2022 adopted a Wildland Urban Interface Code (WUIC). As of March 15, 2024, ALL new developments, homes, and expansion-oriented remodels located in yellow and red areas shown in this Department of Natural Resources map must abide by this new Code. The Code&#x27;s intent is to reduce the loss of life and property due to wildfires. It includes extensive building &#x27;hardening&#x27; requirements, which wildfire science unanimously shows IS very effective. Unfortunately, the adopted code also requires removal of most trees and vegetation in a “defensible space” up to 100 feet around any structure. Wildfire science does NOT support this immense scale of landscape removal. As national wildfire expert Chad Hansen wrote, &quot;This is not about cutting down trees; in fact, it is important to maintain tree cover for the cooling shade it provides. Defensible space is about reducing the most combustible material immediately adjacent to homes, especially dry grass, seedlings and shrubs, lower limbs (prune them to 6 feet above the ground), limbs that touch the house or deck (remove these, but not the tree), and dead leaves and pine needles on the ground.&quot; Over time, the WUIC&#x27;s defensible space provisions will denude a growing percentage of the landscape in virtually all communities in western Washington -- wherever new or remodel construction occurs, which in our high-growth state will be extensive. Additionally, the defensible space provisions are in conflict with numerous other state and local policies, such as for climate action, urban tree canopy retention, stormwater and shoreline regulations, SEPA requirements for critical areas and wetlands, and more. It is important to save this large number of trees because of the carbon and pollutants they draw down every year and store, because they do stormwater management - including recharging aquifers, have positive health and mental health benefits, provide needed wildlife habitat, protect against drought and landslides, provide summer cooling and winter warming effects for nearby buildings, and ironically the loss of their drawdown heats the planet making more forest fires likely. Want to learn more? See the white paper to the SBCC and an Association of Washington Cities letter to the SBCC here.",
	"url": "https://actionnetwork.org/petitions/tree-loss-equals-more-forest-fires"
}