California, why the 2021 wildfire season could be catastrophic
Environment — di Andrea Barolini
Between January and May, an area five times larger has already burned in California compared to the same period in 2020.
California, why the 2021 wildfire season could be catastrophic
Between January and May, an area five times larger has already burned in California compared to the same period in 2020.
As soon as the first warm days returned to the south-western portion of the United States, the first wildfires broke out. California has been particularly hard hit, having already suffered devastating blazes in recent years.
First evacuations ordered due to wildfires in California
On 20 May a blaze broke out in Santa Barbara County. Large numbers of firefighters were deployed and ordered the evacuation of some residents, as the flames — fanned in part by particularly strong winds — had begun to threaten a number of homes.
Wildfires in California have burned more than five times the amount of acreage in the first five months of 2021 as they did in the same period last year, a worrying trend after what was the worst year for fires in the state's history. cnn.it/34jVRPa
The fire was brought under control, but California's authorities fear it may be only the beginning of the season. According to Mercury News, the summer of 2021 could prove "brutal", despite the precautions taken in an attempt to curb the spread of wildfires. An analysis published by CNN, however, explained that in the first five months of the current year wildfires in California have burned a considerably larger area than in the same period last year.
73% of the territory experiencing "extreme" drought conditions
So far, approximately 5,660 hectares have been affected by wildfires, according to data provided by firefighters. This figure is still far from that of 2020, when 1.6 million hectares burned. But the season, as noted, is only just beginning.
What is causing most concern are the weather conditions recorded over the course of the winter. Rainfall was particularly scarce, leaving vegetation dry. According to the US Drought Monitor agency, more than 73 per cent of California is experiencing drought conditions described as "extreme". And across 15 per cent of the territory the situation is "exceptional": the highest level of alert.
In 2020 wildfires killed 35 people in California
"We are seeing an increase in fire activity, and an increase in the amount of area burned," Jon Heggie, head of the California department responsible for forest protection, confirmed to CNN. He added that "for now we are able to contain the fires, but the problem will come when we are in the heart of summer".
In some parts of California, engine crews that are usually the first to arrive at wildfires, dousing them with water before they can grow out of control, have shrunk to the point where they can’t respond to calls seven days a week. latimes.com/environment/st…
In 2020, California's wildfires were the most devastating in the American state's history. Hundreds of thousands of people were forced to abandon their homes and 35 deaths have been confirmed.