Why even wealthy enclaves should be turned into ‘sacrifice zones’ and given back to nature

So-called sacrifice zones can end the exhaustive disaster-rebuild cycle—and help communities rethink their approach to natural disasters.

This week there were three wildfires burning within 100 miles of Los Angeles. Sadly, this isn’t breaking news; it’s the opening salvo of California’s new reality. Each year, wildfires trigger a predictable sequence of events: The fires burn, homeowners flee, firefighters battle the blazes often to catastrophic loss, and, once the ash settles, people rush to rebuild grander homes...