The Fire That Burns On Out West

Photo Credit: NPR

It seems as if California is perpetually on fire.

I'm sure many of you have heard of the drought that California seems to have been in for the past ten years. These low-rain situations cause forests to be breeding grounds for wildfires to start and spread quickly. Contrary to popular belief, it's actually normal for some wildfires to occur throughout the year. Naturally occurring wildfires play an integral role in nature by returning nutrients to the soil through the burning of dead or decaying matter.

Photo Credit: ABC News

But the wildfires that are currently happening in Northern California are getting out of control this year and appearing in more places than usual, causing death tolls from these wildfires to rise. According to the Weather Channel's latest update, the wildfires are rapidly approaching and engulfing Northern Califonia towns so evacuation orders are continuing to be issued. Additionally, at least 21 deaths have been confirmed and more than 3,500 homes and businesses have been burned to the ground. Firefighters continue to be deployed by the hundreds to constantly try to fight these unrelenting flames, but they're fighting a losing battle.

Strong winds, upwards of 30 mph, coupled with the bone-dry conditions and low humidity levels, have helped the wildfires expand at rates that the firefighters cannot compete with. This is leading many people to call these wildfires among the worst that they've seen in Califonia history.

Photo Credit: NPR

The wildfires have also displaced over 4,400 people from their homes to shelters hoping to avoid the deadly blaze and smoke-filled air. The flames have already consumed over 265 square miles, expanding from 17 fires currently burning on Tuesday to 22 fires on Wednesday. Chief of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection says, "Make no mistake, this is a serious, critical, catastrophic event." Over 8,000 firefighters and other personnel are currently battling the flames that are already the most destructive in state history, and the worst has yet to come.

The harrowing descriptions of the current conditions in Northern California and some of the stories of people being encompassed by the fire are truly bone-chilling. One resident described it as "an inferno like you've never seen before" with the "trees on fire like torches." One couple, of ages 100 and 98, died in their house on Tuesday after they were unable to evacuate before the flames took over their home. Another resident died while trying to escape the wildfire in her car. People who are just in the vicinity of the fires are also experiencing negative effects from smoke inhalation. Air quality in Napa County, the county just northeast of San Fransico, is "very unhealthy" and "hazardous." Additionally, low visibility from the smoke is causing average delays of three hours at the San Fransico International Airport.

Historic #fountaingrove Round Barn burns to the ground during first night of #TubbsFire @NorthBayNews @wildfiretoday @SantaRosaFire pic.twitter.com/ytRMtqlgYM

— Kent Porter (@kentphotos) October 11, 2017

Along with historic sites being destroyed, important wineries are being burned down by the wildfires. The flames have already consumed at least five wineries with many others being threatened as the fires continue to expand.

Photo Credit: ABC News

I think the "We Didn't Start the Fire" lyrics by Billy Joel are very appropriate for this catastrophic
event:
"We didn't start the fire
It was always burning since the world's been turning
We didn't start the fire
No, we didn't light it, but we tried to fight it."
Hopefully, firefighters can continue to try to fight the flames, so that parts of Northern California are not completely destroyed much like the city of Santa Rosa was earlier this week. As you can see in the video below, entire neighborhoods in Santa Rosa were burned to the ground, the fires destroying anything in their path, including historic sites, stores, hotels, and homes.



Forecasts for Santa Rosa do not call for any rain in the next seven days, and wind speeds look to continue to be steady, easily spreading the fire throughout the region. Hopefully, the flames will eventually be contained and recovery efforts can begin in Northern California.