Why Are Fire-Prone Wood Pellet Mills Being Built in California?
Despite their high risk of fires, wood pellet mills are planned near California's wildfire-prone forests, raising concerns.
Wood pellets, made from compressed sawdust and wood remnants, are highly flammable. They are used for heating and cooking, but their production is risky. Since 2010, over 50 fires have occurred at U.S. pellet mills, with at least eight of the largest facilities experiencing incidents since 2014. Drax, the world's largest biomass company, has faced multiple fires, including a 12-hour blaze in the UK and a 2021 fire in Louisiana. Despite these incidents, Drax and its partner, Golden State Natural Resources (GSNR), plan to build mills in California's Tuolumne and Lassen Counties. These areas are near Yosemite and have faced wildfire threats. GSNR claims their mills will help reduce wildfire risks by using dead trees. However, locals and experts like Megan Fiske express concerns about inadequate community awareness and improper logging practices. If approved, loggers will collect wood from a 100-mile radius, overlapping with national forests. Fiske highlights issues with untrained loggers overharvesting, despite guidelines. GSNR's Patrick Blacklock believes improved designs will mitigate fire risks, but concerns persist about safety and environmental impact.