The flames burned tens of thousands of homes, buildings and other structures, destroying lives and multi-million dollar mansions of silver screen superstars. The area burned is roughly the size of San Francisco, with devastating effects not only on the environment, but also on human health.
- Fire emergency in California
- Contributions to the spread of fires
- Health Impacts
- Land management and preventive measures
Fire emergency in California
The fires that have ravaged Southern California, particularly around Los Angeles, represent one of the most serious emergencies in recent years.
Over hundreds of thousands of people have been evacuated and at least twenty deaths have been confirmed. Economic losses reach hundreds of billions of dollars.
The flames burnt tens of thousands of houses, buildings and other structures, destroying many multi-million dollar mansions of silver screen superstars.
The fire even grazed the iconic Hollywood sign and devastated Sunset Boulevard.
Some of the buildings that survived the fires are those built with fireproof materials, such as treated wood and metal roofs.
The burnt area is more than a hundred square kilometres, roughly the size of San Francisco. All schools in the Los Angeles school district were closed due to the dense smoke and ash over the city.
The local authorities even adopted a night curfew to tighten security measures.
Contributions to the spread of fires
Whisker Lab, a company that collects data from sensors on energy supply grids, attributes the trigger to problems in the power grid.
Despite the winter season, several climatic and environmental factors contributed to the outbreaks.
These include the Santa Ana winds, also known as ‘devil’s breath’ or ‘red wind’, which blow with force, and the prolonged drought that has made the vegetation extremely flammable.
These gale-force winds carry burning embers from one neighbourhood to another. Global warming then, plays a significant role, increasing the frequency and intensity of fires in general, aided by high temperatures, even in winter.
Urban sprawl in high-risk areas has increased the likelihood of fires and made their control more difficult.
The massive use of water to extinguish the flames drained the water network, which was not designed for emergencies of this magnitude.
Water pressure dropped, making hydrants less effective and vulnerable to contamination; the lack of electricity prevented the rapid replenishment of water in reservoirs.
In addition, the numerous swimming pools in California(an estimated 1.3 million), and the lifestyle of the inhabitants contribute to the depletion of water resources.
Health Impacts
Fires have devastating effects not only on the environment, but also on human health. The toxic clouds produced by the flames cause respiratory problems and other illnesses.
Fire smoke contains fine particles and toxic gases such as carbon monoxide and nitrogen dioxide, which irritate the respiratory tract, causing coughing, wheezing and breathing difficulties.
Prolonged exposure to smoke increases the risk of heart attacks and strokes, as fine particles can enter the bloodstream and cause inflammation and damage to blood vessels. Smoke and ash can irritate eyes and skin, causing redness, tearing and burning.
Mental health is also not to be neglected, especially for those who have lost their homes or suffered significant damage.
Land management and preventive measures
Land management is key to preventing open-field burning and mitigating its effects.
In forest settings, where the most significant fires usually start, the creation of firebreaks and the implementation of preventive silvicultural interventions, such as prescribed fire, reduce the amount of flammable material and create natural barriers against the spread of flames.
Theresponsible use of water resources and land for extensive cultivation and farming can have a positive regulatory effect on fires.
Sustainably managed forests are significantly less likely to be subject to fire than unmonitored areas, due in part to the thinning of undergrowth.
These strategies, if implemented in a coordinated and sustainable manner, can help reduce the risk of fires and protect the environment and local communities.
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