As climate change generates crises around the world, California is plagued by relentless heatwaves, droughts, and devastating wildfires. As of July 20th, a staggering 4,045 wildfires are burning across the state, spreading over 248,972 acres and damaging or destroying more than 150 structures. The scale of this destruction has vastly outpaced last year’s wildfires, with the acreage burned in June 20% higher. In towns like Willow Creek, where the Hill Fire is raging uncontained in the Six Rivers National Forest, residents have had to repeatedly evacuate as wildfires threaten to obliterate their homes and livelihoods. Multiple national parks have been scorched and continue to face fire threats. Experts predict this year’s fire season will be longer and more intense than in previous years due to rising temperatures. Joe Tyler, the director of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, declared in a press conference, “We are not just in a fire season, but we are in a fire year.”
These fires are a direct result of climate change. This June was the hottest on record, with extreme heat waves sweeping across the western U.S. and breaking temperature records in many cities. In Palm Springs, CA, the temperature reached a horrifying 124 degrees. Approaching high temperatures in the Central Valley are causing Pacific Gas and Electric to warn of necessary power shutdowns in seven different counties, potentially leaving 16,000 homes and other buildings without electricity.
Temperatures will rise along with the flames of these fires as we continue to confront the effects of climate change. Those of us struggling through the heat, facing power shutdowns, evacuations, or dealing with the aftermath of wildfires have no one else to rely on but ourselves. We are the ones who must fight for our futures and our communities.
