In California, people’s lives are going up in flames as we speak—literally. Wildfires are all over, and the intensity of them is getting worse by the day. Not only the people themselves are in danger, but their homes, their pets, and everything in between. Families are in an impossible position, and this is all going down while the rest of us sit and watch.
The causes of these wildfires vary. Many people have different opinions about how this all began. Some people believe it is climate change. Some believe that it is from the mix of heat and the Santa Ana winds. Others believe the fires are man-made. The effects of climate change in California could be a potential reason for all of these raging fires. Climate change could have increased the heat, extended the droughts as well as the intensity of them, and created atmospheres in need of water. It creates drier conditions that are able to fuel fires as well as spread them. Another reason could be the Santa Ana winds. These are able to form over mountains, specifically the Sierra mountains. When it is mixed with high pressure from the East, these winds can create something deadly. The air is then pushed down the mountains, and it becomes compressed, which causes heat to be produced and creates a spark for possible fire. The air becomes even more dry, creating an even more dangerous situation. Many say this is the most logical reason, but there’s no absolute proof for it. Another common rumor is going around that the chances of the fires being caused by arson are high. There have been arrests of possible arsonists, and people are not only afraid but also becoming furious. All of these things are believed to have started these wildfires, but the true, main cause for them goes undetected still. This information comes from NBC News, as well as CNN website.
These wildfires throughout California are affecting everyone, not only in the state but also people outside of the state. Maybe not directly, but people who don’t live in California may have loved ones who do, and watching their homes burn down and not knowing if they will be okay has taken a toll on many. The damage from these fires is forcing people to become homeless because of all of the living settlements that are going up in flames. Unfortunately, the damages don’t stop there. The fires have created a blanket of smoke that covers cities not only within the vicinity of fires but also in the so-called safe cities and towns. The smoke can often be found toxic, causing many lives to be endangered. Economic losses are circulating throughout the Golden State, resulting in billions of dollars being lost. The fires reach water and soil because of the remains of the fire. The ash and debris are contaminating the water supply, and the soil has a real possibility of becoming more prone to erosion. Agriculture regions are being threatened by the wildfires because of the disruption in food supply and production. California is becoming hotter and drier day by day as the impacts of the wildfires continue. Is there a way to help? Or do people just have to deal with the consequences of these catastrophic events? This information is from the Harvard Business Review website, the website of American Lung Association, and the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment.
The response to the California wildfires is increasing as people are desperate to save themselves and their friends and family. There has been a huge investment in prevention of the fires, this is billions of dollars being used to help protect the people and the state. The aerial fleet is also being expanded. This is when aircraft are used for a specific purpose while operating in the air, and in California’s case, the purpose is to help stop and prevent more fires. New funding has helped the increase in aircraft to help circulate and keep watch of fires. There has been funding put towards forest and wildfire resilience plans, which is working to make the impacts not so severe. There have also been advancements in technology, such as drones, artificial intelligence (AI), mapping and satellite tech, and more. Although all of these things are heavily operated by the government, there are still things that any regular person can do to help out. This starts with donations to major organizations that can do more about the wildfires. People can simply listen to the safety orders that are given, report any suspicious activity, and spread awareness. That is key because the more people that know, the more people can help. This all sources from American Red Cross, CNN, and the Governor of California website.
California has a history of wildfires because of the living conditions there, but this year, things are changing. There has been more help, and fires have been extremely intense. The causes of the fires continue to be not fully known, and the impacts are becoming more drastic day by day. Homes are being burnt down; and people are suffering. California is going up in flames, and people are feeling hopeless. What does the future hold for California? Can the Golden State ever stop the cycle of rapid wildfires, or will this be something that is commonly seen in their history forever?
