How We Went from Fire Season to Fire Year
by Madison Cavallaro
Although most of the west coast doesn't experience the 'seasons' like our east coast companions, fire season is unique to this side of the coast. Fires can be a natural part of the environment over in the dry climate of California. Yet the intensely dry season, catalyzed by warmer temperatures in the spring and summer with reduced snowpack and earlier snowmelt, is starting earlier each year and ending later. You might say this "fire season" is turning into a "fire year," considering California is just one of the states in the west experiencing more devastating fires than ever before. Just a few weeks ago, the National Interagency Fire Center increased its preparedness level from 4 to 5, meaning the highest level of wildfire activity erupting in multiple geographical locations. Our fire personnel are moving from blaze to blaze in California, Idaho, Montana, and Oregon, concerned about exhausting fire resources.
Smokey the Bear Has a Point
While Climate change isn't igniting these fires (we've had plenty of people taking care of that for us), it has undoubtedly turned the once known mild fire into multiple-acre catastrophic infernos. Like previously mentioned, the spring and summer seasons are hitting record highs, increasing hot, dry, and windy weather around the U.S. This increases the amount of available fuel to the fire when these fires have access to more dry vegetation than ever before. High temperatures also make droughts worse. Dry soil and plants paired with high winds are why we see record-breaking wildfires over thousands of acres in short periods.
Climate change, at no surprise to many of us, is impacting weather patterns in numerous ways. While hotter seasons and shorter winters have been doing their damage, climate change is putting in work on the pacific ocean. Warmer sea surface temperatures have contributed to drought in blocking rain from reaching the west coast states. Thanks to all the climate change-mediated changes in the landscape, weather, and temperatures, it is "safe" to say climate change has doubled the area burned during fires. The Western U.S. saw an increase in fire season by 2 months, and in California, extreme fire weather frequency has doubled. Even 8 years ago, California recorded 601,635 acres burned with just 1 fatality, but 2020 closed out with 4,257,863 acres burned and 33 deaths. This is significantly increased damage, lives lost, and structures destroyed.
If You Think it’s Over-Exaggerated, Think Again
Wildfires aren't just deadly and destructive to the environment. Fires are just as damaging to us. I'm not just talking about physical or mental health because those may be self-explanatory. Social issues also result from wildfires- impacting housing security, access to food, and employment. Workers on hourly wages are more likely to see unemployment after a wildfire. Salaried workers will continue to be paid even if they close or the building burns down.
Obviously, when your home is lost or damaged by a fire, there is displacement and insecurity. Less apparent, though, is the domino effect this will have on the housing market. Not to mention, impacted low-income residents will particularly suffer as houses in wildfire areas will become scanty post-fire, driving up prices. Even individuals who may have not been directly affected by the fire will sometimes experience the worse end of this. They usually do not have access to recovery resources, ending up homeless displaced by fire survivors. The social impacts from worsening fires heighten the intersection of racism with environmental injustice. Fires heavily impact low-income communities, and POC communities concentrated on Federal Indian Reserves. Most of these individuals do not have the economic means to cope or prevent large-scale fires with mitigation services. Which could be the difference between losing your entire house or losing some of your lawn furniture.
Consequences on Consequences
Deadly fires take lives and expose impacted communities to air pollution, exacerbating asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Air pollution and wildfire debris will pollute rivers and water supplies, creating toxic runoffs. This is good for anyone, and even if you aren't physically impacted by a fire, you will be sure to experience the health implications. Smoke contains a cocktail of various volatile compounds affecting the air quality, even downwind of fires. Based on global assessments, thousands of deaths occur annually associated with wildfires affecting air quality for those especially vulnerable. As Climate change rages on while our representatives do very little to reverse it, more harmful impacts are to come.
Each of these complex issues intersects with one another, perpetuating long-term impacts on physical and mental health, as well as the environment. Access to healthcare ripples through communities when buildings are destroyed, putting a burden on those who didn't, most of the time hospitals and emergency centers. Not to mention, the communities most vulnerable in fires are POC and low-income, so affording healthcare can be a hurdle to recovery.
Each year that passes, globally, we are setting records related to fire season, warm temperatures, and intense winters. Unfortunately, this will probably get worse before it gets better. We have already seen such drastic consequences from wildfires swallowing up landscapes faster than ever before. Climate change unaddressed will only worsen this. Like every other Blank, this isn't a one-person job, and the issues are systemic. Representatives who fight for green policies and support climate change initiatives will be pillars in addressing the scary future of our world if left to human devices.
How to Help Victims of the California Wildfires
- El Dorado Community Foundation The Caldor Fire Fund has been established to support the families impacted by this fire, and your entire donation will go to support those families.to donate go here. To find out how to apply for aid, go here.
- Amador Community Foundation is providing support and valuable resources to impacted communities. As well as providing donations to ACART for large animal care for those impacted by the fire with livestock.
- Tahoe Coalition of the Homeless has partnered with South Lake Tahoe Police to support evacuations of the city's unhoused community.
- Hands 4 Hope The El Dorado Community Foundation and Hands4Hope - Youth Making A Difference are partnering to connect fire victims with needed services.
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Baby2Baby is distributing essential items like diapers, wipes, portable cribs, blankets and cleaning supplies to families affected by the fires. You can buy supplies directly off its Amazon registry here or make a cash donation.
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The California Community Foundation’s Wildfire Relief Fund supports relief and recovery efforts for communities affected by wildfires. You can donate directly to its wildfire fund here.
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The California Fire Foundation provides immediate short-term relief to victims by handing out $250 gift cards so that people can buy basic necessities that were lost in fires. You can donate here.
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The Latino Community Foundation provides support for Latino-led organizations that are helping Latino and immigrant families who have been displaced by fires throughout the state. You can donate here.
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Open Homes by Airbnb matches hosts with disaster victims and relief workers in need of a safe place to stay. You can sign up here to provide a free space.
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World Central Kitchen’s relief team is providing meals to emergency workers and people affected by wildfires in Northern California. You can make a single or monthly contribution here.
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Red Rover shelters and cares for animals during national disasters and reunites them with their owners. You can donate to the organization here. You can also sign up to foster animals or donate to the Humane Society or local animal rescue organizations.
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United Way Bay Area established a fund to help recovery efforts in communities in Northern and Central California after the August fires. You can donate here.
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The Los Angeles County Fire Department Foundation supports firefighters, paramedics and other personnel. You can donate here.
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Food banks across California are providing meals to communities affected by wildfires. You can find a local food bank to donate to on the California Association of Food Banks’ website or donate directly to the organization.
Sources: 1 Fire / 2 NY Mag / 3 NPR / 4 Climate Signals
Meet our Contributor
Madison is an Eating Disorder Consoler in Los Angeles. She graduated from Emmanuel College and Northeastern University in Boston with a B.S. and M.S. and specializes in health science and nutrition. Throughout her career, she has aspired to impact the nutrition field in a positive way. With her background and interest in sustainability, health, and wellness, she aims to address limitations in health by making these top