The California Wildfires
Wildfires have tormented the state of California for years. Between 2008 and 2016, wildfires burned almost nine million acres of the California landscape (ABC News 10). In this year alone, however, 3.6 million acres have been destroyed by countless wildfires.
To begin with, what is a wildfire? How does a wildfire start? A wildfire is an uncontrolled fire in a forest region or vegetated area. Wildfires can occur naturally or can be a result of human error. Wildfires thrive off of dry weather, and during the dry season specifically, forest foliage becomes kindling waiting to be ignited. Fires can be started by a strike of lightning, a carelessly thrown cigarette, or an unattended campfire. Once a wildfire starts, it is difficult to contain, as the surrounding vegetation acts as the fuel for the fire to continue growing. Firefighters can struggle in the harsh heat and toxic smoke for five to six hours, battling fires as far as the eye can see to no avail.
California is no stranger to wildfires, but this year’s wildfire season has been particularly damaging for California. This summer, California had its hottest August ever—with temperatures reaching the triple digits. In mid-August, California also received intense, dry thunderstorms that intensified an already grim situation. This meant that there was no rain and lots of lightning, which is an automatic fire hazard. Lightning strikes coupled with the lack of rain led to disastrous wildfires that proved catastrophic for the state. According to Cal Fire, this year there have been 8,000 different fires that have destroyed over 3.6 million acres. Because of California’s ever-growing population, people have moved closer to areas at higher risk for wildfires over the years.
The effects of the California fires extend far beyond the state's borders. Much of the smoke from the fires has made its way to the east coast as a result of strong winds. A smoky haze recently hung over the tri-state area, showing the magnitude of the wildfire situation in California. There was even an odd, reddish tint to the sun and moon for a few days. The situation is even worse in California, where a dark red glow hangs over the sky during the daytime, and people are unable to leave their homes due to unsafe air quality. According to the BBC, about 250,000 people in California have been forced to flee their homes as fires reached their backyards.
Wildfires are disastrous and have a lasting effect on the environment, but they are preventable. Wildfire prevention is as easy as remembering to extinguish campfires and properly putting out cigarettes. It is also important that you never set off fireworks or firecrackers near wooded areas and to avoid starting campfires on dry or windy days. People are advised to call the fire department immediately if they spot a fire and to be aware of their states’ wildfire prevention plans.
Sources:
LA Times
Cal Fire
BBC
ABC 10
Patch
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