California Wildfires

California has been engulfed in fire season yet again, with multiple homes being destroyed by the Dixie Fire. On July 23, Governor Newsom declared a state of emergency for four northern counties when flames began spreading.

At 190,625 acres, the Dixie Fire has been California’s largest wildfire this season. Beginning on July 13 in Feather River Canyon, the Dixie Fire started pushing north, where it eventually burned through the Sierra communities of Indian Falls. Unfortunately, unstable weather conditions developed over the fire zone, increasing potential fire spots. The Dixie Fire has also burned across highways 70-89, mainly affecting Indian Falls and Paxton. On Sunday, July 24, it grew 10,000 acres, eventually merging with Fly Fire in Plumas County. Fly Fire, a fire burning in Butterfly Valley across highways 89 and 70, grew to 1,650 acres and triggered new evacuations in west Quincy.

Inevitably, more than 7,500 people have had to evacuate across nearly two dozen communities in Plumas and Butte county.

The Beckwourth Complex, which is another fire burning in Plumas County, is the state’s 2nd largest blaze. Originally sparked by lightning, Beckwourth Complex burned across 105,670 acres and is currently 98% contained. This was unexpected; Forest Service did not anticipate for Beckwourth Complex to spread outside its current parameters.

Meanwhile, the El Dorado fire, infamously caused by a 2020 gender reveal party gone wrong, lasted more than 2 months and covered 22,000 acres of Southern California. The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection alleged that a “smoke generating pyrotechnic device” was used during the party, triggering the fire. The couple responsible is now facing a variety of criminal charges. Prosecutors stated that the fire started due to a smoke bomb.

As a result of California’s dry conditions and heatwaves caused by climate change, these fires have been extremely challenging to fight. Before 2003, the fires that we are currently seeing would have been considered rare. However, 17 of the 20 largest fires in California have happened since then. Californians can only hope that these fires will be contained quickly so that evacuees and firefighters can return home safely.

Written by: Jocelyn Wang

Sources:

van Hagen, Isobel. “California's Dixie Fire destroys homes as blazes continue to rage across the West” NBC News, 25 July 2021,

https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/multiple-homes-destroyed-california-s-dixie-fire-blazes-continue-rage-n1274953

King, John. “Dixie Fire slows after destroying at least 23 structures, but a dangerous week lies ahead”, 25 July 2021,

https://www.sfchronicle.com/california-wildfires/article/Dixie-Fire-rips-through-Sierra-communities-with-16338554.php

“Gender reveal party couple face jail over deadly California wildfire” BBC News US and Canada, 21 July 2021,

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-57898993