Sudden oak death may create fire threat

Sudden oak death, which first appeared in California in 1995, has killed thousands of oaks. This has fire officials worried about the possible fire hazard that the dead trees could create.

California is preparing for a severe fire season due to dry conditions. The dead, dry trees are only expected to increase the danger. Both the California Assembly and Congress are considering bills that would fund research into the disease, as well as assist in fire prevention.

Sudden Oak death is caused by a species of Phytophthora that attacks several oaks, most notably coastal live oak, which blankets much of the hills in coastal California.