In a headline that seems tailor-made for Spencer Pratt’s insurgent mayoral campaign in Los Angeles, the New York Post reported this morning that one of his competitors, LA City Council member Nithya Raman, has proposed a “backyard BBQ ban” to combat wildfires.

But wait, critics of the Post’s reporting contend; sure, that is what Raman advocates, but her rationale is far more reasonable than the headline suggests.

What the councilwoman wants are emergency restrictions on open outdoor fires, even the contained and permitted sort, during Red Flag Warning periods when conditions are drier and windier than normal. So, what we’re really talking about is a holistic approach to fire prevention that observes an abundance of caution. That sounds pretty rational, right?

It would, if California had experienced a rash of fires — or even just one —........

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