While Californians stay inside their homes, the world around them blazes away. Two concurrent fires in California, the SCU and LSU lightning complexes, have ravaged more than 800,000 acres of land. By the halfway point of 2020, six of California’s most dangerous fires have already occurred.
Due to the rising winds and humidity that come with summer, temperatures continue to soar, fueling more intense forest fires across California. More than 3.6 million acres have burned with no end in sight. As the number of structures destroyed rises to 6,400, 19,000 firefighters battle the 27 major wildfires in California, all while dealing with the ongoing pandemic.
Wildfires, such as the El Dorado fire, have even taken the life of a firefighter. Originating from a highly controversial gender-reveal party, the El Dorado fire is only 66% contained, with criminal charges considered for those who acted irresponsibly. In southern California, the Bobcat fire has claimed over 105,345 acres, primarily affecting residents of Los Angeles County. Butte County, however, suffered the greatest losses with 15 lives lost to the North Complex fire.
With 26 deaths, including one firefighter, many families mourn their loved ones while others are forced to evacuate their homes. Many people blame the effects of climate change for the rise in California wildfires. Due to record-breaking heat waves and fires linked to climate change, many, including Governor Newsom, assert that the “debate is over around climate change.”
Although the sight of blue smoke and orange haze may seem pleasing to the eye, the worst of the fires is yet to come. California’s future looks bleak as the fires are expected to worsen with the arrival of autumn. One can only hope that both the people and the government take this as a learning experience to implement policies to combat climate change.