Difference between revisions of "California wildfires"
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==History== | ==History== | ||
In recent decades, and particularly since the 1990s, California wildfires have become an increased problem in the state. | In recent decades, and particularly since the 1990s, California wildfires have become an increased problem in the state. | ||
| − | According to Grist, "Drought, disease, and insects have left 100 million dead trees browning across California, and in some places, 90 percent of the trees have died. | + | According to Grist, "Drought, disease, and insects have left 100 million dead trees browning across California, and in some places, 90 percent of the trees have died."<ref name="grist-dry-wood"> [https://grist.org/article/why-california-is-fighting-fire-with-fire/ Grist, Sep 19, 2019]</ref> |
==Causes== | ==Causes== | ||
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: ''Forbes Magazine'' reported: | : ''Forbes Magazine'' reported: | ||
:* California’s deadliest year of wildfires has been decades in the making, with overlapping environmental rules, both state and federal, making fuel load reductions in forests and coastal chaparral nearly impossible ...<ref> [https://www.forbes.com/sites/chuckdevore/2018/11/27/trumps-right-about-californias-fires-it-wasnt-climate-change-two-new-california-laws-prove-it/#71404dfc22e3]</ref> | :* California’s deadliest year of wildfires has been decades in the making, with overlapping environmental rules, both state and federal, making fuel load reductions in forests and coastal chaparral nearly impossible ...<ref> [https://www.forbes.com/sites/chuckdevore/2018/11/27/trumps-right-about-californias-fires-it-wasnt-climate-change-two-new-california-laws-prove-it/#71404dfc22e3]</ref> | ||
| + | :Grist asserted: | ||
| + | :* All this dry wood can stoke small blazes into uncontrollable infernos that ravage towns and choke the region with smoke.<ref name="grist-dry-wood"> [https://grist.org/article/why-california-is-fighting-fire-with-fire/ Grist, Sep 19, 2019]</ref> | ||
: CNBC reported: | : CNBC reported: | ||
:*'According to the California Forestry Association, tree density in the Sierra Nevada is too high when compared with the region’s historical rates, creating an elevated fire hazard.' [https://www.cnbc.com/2018/08/03/california-timber-firms-maybe-piece-of-the-puzzle-to-cut-fire-risk.html California timber industry may be a ‘piece of the puzzle’ to help reduce state’s raging wildfires] | :*'According to the California Forestry Association, tree density in the Sierra Nevada is too high when compared with the region’s historical rates, creating an elevated fire hazard.' [https://www.cnbc.com/2018/08/03/california-timber-firms-maybe-piece-of-the-puzzle-to-cut-fire-risk.html California timber industry may be a ‘piece of the puzzle’ to help reduce state’s raging wildfires] | ||
Revision as of 17:55, September 12, 2020
Wildfires are a common occurrence in the state of California each fire season, which reaches its highest point during mid to late part of the summer[1] during the dry season in the state.[2] Wildfires begin in rural areas, often where forests and grasslands are located, but can spread to suburban or urban areas if not contained, causing property damage or loss of life.
History
In recent decades, and particularly since the 1990s, California wildfires have become an increased problem in the state. According to Grist, "Drought, disease, and insects have left 100 million dead trees browning across California, and in some places, 90 percent of the trees have died."[3]
Causes
The worsening of these wildfires has been blamed variously on global warming and on illogical environmental policies. President Trump 'blamed the wildfires on "years" of poor forest management in California'[4]
- Forbes Magazine reported:
- California’s deadliest year of wildfires has been decades in the making, with overlapping environmental rules, both state and federal, making fuel load reductions in forests and coastal chaparral nearly impossible ...[5]
- Grist asserted:
- All this dry wood can stoke small blazes into uncontrollable infernos that ravage towns and choke the region with smoke.[3]
- CNBC reported:
- 'According to the California Forestry Association, tree density in the Sierra Nevada is too high when compared with the region’s historical rates, creating an elevated fire hazard.' California timber industry may be a ‘piece of the puzzle’ to help reduce state’s raging wildfires
Here's one solution:
- "This issue could be solved by what are known as prescribed fires, or controlled burns. ... Burning supplemented by thinning generally is seen as the most effective combination in preventing severe wildfires"[6]
National Geographic has identified increased population, which has led to construction in the state's wilderness, as a reason for increased damage done from fires.[1]
See Also
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "Here's how wildfires get started—and how to stop them", National Geographic, retrieved September 12, 2020
- ↑ The dry season in California roughly correlates with the state's summer.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 Grist, Sep 19, 2019
- ↑ Trump hits California officials over wildfires: 'You've got to clean your floors'
- ↑ [1]
- ↑ blog at University of Massachusetts