The population of the vast Sierra Nevada region continues to surge, increasing the risk of wildfire, unwieldy public expenditures and loss of life, according to a new report released by the Sierra Nevada Alliance. As much as 94 percent of the land slated for rural residential development is classified as very high or extreme fire hazard by the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, according to a new report. "The combination of population growth and climate change in our fire-prone region is creating a perfect fire storm where increasing numbers of people and homes will be at greater risk …