ANALYSIS AND CRITIQUE OF TUBBS FIRE 1
Analysis and Critique of Tubbs Fire
Michael Cullars
Helms School of Government, Liberty University
Author Note
Michael Cullars
I have no known conflict of interest to disclose.
Correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to Michael Cullars
Email: michaelcullars1@liberty.edu
ANALYSIS AND CRITIQUE OF TUBBS FIRE 2
Analysis and Critique of Tubbs Fire
Disasters are unique to emergencies in the manner of effect on communities. Even more
than that, the impact which catastrophes could bring on localities can magnify the suffering from
an individual, community, and socio-economic perspective. As Phillips et al. (2016) noted,
catastrophes greatly disturb individuals, families, organizations, enterprises, and other locations
(p. 36). Because of the complexities and the effects disasters could bring to the various
communities across the country, they would require higher intervention from State and Federal
entities. This concept applies to the notion of federalism. According to Sylves (2019),
federalism is the theory or support of federal political regimes in which powers are distributed
between sub-units and a center (p. 62). As Sylves (2019, p. 62) notes, constitutionally,
sovereignty is shared between at least two territorial levels. Each territory level is sovereign and
may act autonomously in some areas (Sylves, 2019, p. 62). The Federal government intervention
to address the disasters matters occurred during the beginning of the 19th Century.
According to the Federal Emergency Management Agency [FEMA] (2021), Congress
passed legislation in 1803 to provide disaster relief for merchants impacted by a severe fire in
Portsmouth, New Hampshire, in December of the previous year. In December of the previous
year, Congress passed legislation in 1803 to provide disaster relief for merchants impacted by a
severe fire in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. As Nemeth (2017) highlights, FEMA came about
through an executive order signed by Jimmy Carter in 1979 to merge all disasters agencies into
one centralized component to author a stand-alone emergency management system for the
Nation. FEMA continued as a stand-alone federal entity until, according to McEntire (2019), the
passage of the enactment of the Homeland Security legislation signed by President Bush in
November of 2002. As McEntire (2019) adds, the provision resulted in the most profound
ANALYSIS AND CRITIQUE OF TUBBS FIRE 3
government reform in five decades, as it also resulted in the establishment of the Department of
Homeland Security. Since Congress intervened in 1803 to provide relief for victims of disaster,
Congress enacted other measures concerning disaster-related incidents impacting the Nation.
As Sylves (2019) notes, the disaster relief Act of 1950 laid the groundwork for current
disaster assistance and emergency management in the Nation (p. 9). An amended version of the
legislation occurred in 1974, as Phillips et al. (2016, p. 37) note, gave the President power to
provide relief and assistance to disaster victims. As Phillips et al. (2016, p. 37) note, an amended
version of the statute was enacted in 1974, granting the President the authority to provide relief
and aid to disaster victims. The Stafford Act of 1988 amended the 1974 federal disaster relief
act, providing the current regulatory framework for disaster response and recovery (FEMA,
2021). According to FEMA (2020), the established national preparedness system aims to
provide a mechanism to assist communities in preparing for all-hazard scenarios involving
disasters and crises.
Moreover, according to FEMA (2020), the national preparedness model consists of 32
fundamental capabilities operating through five mission areas: prevention, protection, mitigation,
response, and recovery. This paper examines and critiques the actions of emergency
management personnel, organizations, and other relevant stakeholders involved in the Tubbs fire
event in the Northern areas of California in 2017. This critique begins with a historical overview
of the fire event in Northern California. Also explored in this paper are the four phases in the
disaster cycle and the challenges, strengths, and weaknesses of planning and actions of personnel
handling the incident. Finally, this paper provides a Christian perspective on preparedness and
facing tribulations. When facing a crisis, Deuteronomy 31:6 states, "Be strong and brave; fear
not them, for the Lord, your God, is with you..." (King James Bible, 1769/2022).
ANALYSIS AND CRITIQUE OF TUBBS FIRE 4
Overview
According to the National Weather Service [NWS] (n.d.), wildfires result from weather
conditions, not natural weather phenomena. Moreover, according to the NWS (n.d.), lightning is
the primary cause of forest fires in the inland regions of the American Northwest. As NWS (n.d.)
emphasized, although rain may accompany lightning strikes that ignite wildfires, it is not a
requirement to produce to initiate such an occurrence. Also, according to NWS (n.d.), gusty
winds accompanied by thunderstorms characterized by dry lightning accelerate the spread of
flames (NWS, n.d.). However, according to a press release issued by the California Department
of Forestry and Fire Protection [CAL FIRE] (2019a), the catalyst that triggered the Tubbs fire
was a private electrical system adjoined to a residential structure.
According to Hillhouse (2018), the event began when a fast-moving fire erupted on
October 8, 2017, in the Tubbs Lane area in Calistoga, California. Winds rapidly fueled the
flames and pushed them westward into the eastern hills and mountains of Sonoma County,
California (County of Sonoma Department of Emergency Management [DEM] 2018). Burning
debris flew forward, sparking flames in advance of the main inferno (DEM, 2018).
The emergency dispatch system became overwhelmed by an onslaught of calls from locals
[DEM, 2018]. As a result, the Emergency Operations Director decided to activate the emergency
operations center [EOC] entirely due to the magnitude of the fire (DEM, 2018). Residents were
alerted via warning systems and knocking on their doors by staff from the joint fire
communication dispatch center [REDCOM], law enforcement agencies, emergency management
personnel, and the City of Santa Rosa (DEM, 2018).
Although fire departments throughout the County and the Bay area responded quickly,
the fires' enormity tested their response capabilities (DEM, 2018). Additionally, the fires
ANALYSIS AND CRITIQUE OF TUBBS FIRE 5
disrupted and damaged cell phone networks, preventing county officials from responding to the
EOC promptly (DEM, 2018). Additionally, as DEM (2018) adds, fire-related complications
brought about power outages, road closures, traffic jams, and forced vital staff members to
evacuate their houses. Within four hours, the Tubbs fire went through a twelve-mile course
through Santa Rosa, California, and the outlying villages of Larkfield and Wikiup (DEM, 2018).
As the Tubbs fire continued its devastation, the Nun's fire penetrated the southeast area of the
County, destroying residential homes and posing a threat to neighboring communities in Sonoma
(DEM, 2018). With winds gusting beyond 65 miles per hour and a dozen other fires burning in
various locations, it was challenging for EOC officials and first responders to identify and locate
areas at risk of fire (DEM, 2018).
Additionally, the fires burned near Sonoma's EOC, forcing the closure and evacuation of
two hospitals in Santa Rosa (DEM, 2018). While shelters were available, they were generally
given ad hoc by local communities and groups (DEM, 2018). Additionally, the DEM (2018)
noted that the EOC became overburdened logistically to satisfy sheltering requirements and
support first responders' emergency activities. Moreover, despite mutual aid agreements among
emergency service partners, requesting assistance from these agencies became difficult due to
their commitment to fires in Napa County, California (DEM, 2018). The fire, which became
controlled on October 31, was the state of California's most catastrophic wildfire in history
(DEM, 2018). According to Hillhouse (2018), the event produced 22 fatalities, damaged nearly
5,643 structures, burned slightly over 36 800 acres of land, and caused 1.2 billion dollars worth
of damages.
ANALYSIS AND CRITIQUE OF TUBBS FIRE 6
Mitigation
Islam and Ryan (2016) specify mitigation as any activity or action that lessens or
eradicates hazard risks (p. 13).
Preparedness
Response
Recovery
ANALYSIS AND CRITIQUE OF TUBBS FIRE 7
References
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. (2019a, January 24). CAL FIRE
Investigators Determine the Cause of the Tubbs Fire.
https://www.fire.ca.gov/media/5124/tubbscause1v.pdf
California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection [CAL FIRE]. (2019b, February 22).
Community Wildfire Prevention and Mitigation Report. California Department of
Forestry and Fire Protection. https://www.fire.ca.gov/media/5584/45-day-report-final.pdf
California Office of Emergency Service. (2018, September). Chapter 8 Fire Hazards: Risks
and Mitigation. State of California.
https://www.caloes.ca.gov/HazardMitigationSite/Documents/011-
2018%20SHMP_FINAL_Ch%208.pdf#search=TUBBS
Coen, J., Schroeder, W., & Quayle, B. (2018). The Generation and Forecast of Extreme Winds
during the Origin and Progression of the 2017 Tubbs Fire. Atmosphere, 9(12), 462.
https://doi.org/10.3390/atmos9120462
County of Sonoma Department of Emergency Management. (2018, June). OCTOBER 2017
COMPLEX FIRES: Emergency Operations Center After Action Report & Improvement
Plan. County of Sonoma California Department of Emergency Management.
https://sonomacounty.ca.gov/Ektron%20Documents/assets/Sonoma/Emergency
%20Management/Administration/Services/Training/Service%201/_Documents/Sonoma-
County-2017-Wildfires-EOC-AAR-FINAL-CORRECTED-6JUN2018.pdf
ANALYSIS AND CRITIQUE OF TUBBS FIRE 8
Federal Emergency Management Agency. (2015, September). National Preparedness Goal.
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06/national_preparedness_goal_2nd_edition.pdf
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Framework. FEMA.Gov. https://www.fema.gov/sites/default/files/2020-
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Federal Emergency Management Agency. (2019, October 28). National Response Framework.
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FEMA.Gov. https://www.fema.gov/emergency-managers/national-preparedness/goal
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https://www.fema.gov/about/history
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ANALYSIS AND CRITIQUE OF TUBBS FIRE 9
Government Accountability Office [GAO]. (2019, October). Wildfire Disasters: FEMA Could
Take Additional Actions to Address Unique Response and Recovery Challenges. U.S.
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Hillhouse, J. (2018, November 1). Tubbs Fire. Homeland Security Digital Library.
https://www.hsdl.org/c/tl/tubbs-fire/
Islam, T., & Ryan, J. (2016). Hazard Mitigation in Emergency Management (1st ed.).
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King James Bible. (2022). King James Bible Online. https://www.kingjamesbibleonline.org
(Original work published 1769)
McEntire, D. A. (2019). Introduction to Homeland Security: Understanding Terrorism
Prevention and Emergency Management (2nd ed.). Wiley.
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