!SOS ALERT!

 Written by: Janvi Zade

Edited by: Yashi Shah

BURNING CALIFORNIA

According to the analysis of the Times, 2020 tops the record-breaking fires of all times, when on September 9, the massive August Complex became the largest fire in the State’s history. While the fire season has just begun, it has already broken all the records with 3.2 million acres burned so far. Wildfire smokes are creating havoc covering the cities in an orange haze. Wildfire smoke is contributing to the worst air quality in a decade.

Summers in California are becoming hotter which is not a positive sign. With an increase in temperature and drought, circumstances might worsen. California has experienced 6 of the 20 deadliest fires ever. Millions are suffering from the sooty plumes that are covering the state, as a result blocking the sun rays, thus increasing the rate of danger to lungs amidst a deadly pandemic. 

The main cause of California fires is climate change. Sustained hot climate with no rain and moisture being constantly absorbed from plants, shrubs, and soil, they serve as perfect tinder for the fire to start. The more acres affected by this condition, the stronger the fires will spread to an extent where a mere spark of a cigarette will be sufficient to set the entire land on fire.

The Australian bushfires, Uttarakhand forest fires, Siberia wildfires, Ukraine wildfires, Arizona wildfires, New Mexico wildfires, and Washington wildfires are also the outcome of the same climatic change, caused due to extreme heat which absorbs all the moisture and then lits up by any casual spark that occurs in the surrounding.  

Climatic change isn’t the only cause of this destruction. There are anthropogenic causes as well. Unattended campfires, burning of debris, callously discarding burnt cigarettes in open areas are some of the many reasons which lead to the sparking of the hot environment and contribute to forest fires. It is hence our moral duty to obey the laws while camping and prevent ourselves from doing such inhumane actions that could lead to the destruction of biodiversity.