Wildfires Burn Through California

As of Oct. 9, wildfires in California had burned approximately 4.2 million acres of land, making it the largest wildfire season recorded in California’s modern history. More than 17,000 firefighters were working to put an end to these wildfires which have claimed about 40 lives, left about 37 people injured and destroyed more than 7,000 structures. 

Scientists are worried that the effects of climate change have made the fires stronger and pose dangerous health risks to the citizens of California.

According to NBC, there are 26 major fires that are put into clusters and then complexes that are burning all across California. A map created by the New York Times goes into detail about some of the major fires and how contained they are. 

The largest fires are the Glass fire in Napa Valley, the Zogg fire in Shasta County and the Slater fire that has gone from California to Oregon.

Another thing that makes this particular wildfire season unique is the fact that it is occurring during a global pandemic, which adds to the health risks that are posed upon the citizens of California as well as throughout the west coast. 

California has gone into a period of “critical” fire risk due to high winds and dry air. Some of the health problems that can arise with wildfires and smoke exposure are as minor as eye and respiratory tract irritation and as serious as heart and lung disease, according to the California government.

The wildfires have added a threat to the pandemic due to the hazardous air increasing vulnerability to COVID-19. It is also hard to differentiate between wildfire smoke exposure and COVID-19 symptoms because of the similar symptoms both present.

With all of these complications with the current circumstances, many are hoping for an end to these fires, but scientists predict that climate change caused by the burning of fossil fuels is increasing both the frequency and the severity of wildfires like these, according to BBC. 

With the pandemic interfering with the largest wildfire in history, only time will tell what will happen in California. 

Article by Hallie Rozario of Springbrook High School

Photo Courtesy of Creative Commons