Here in California, we are currently experiencing one of the worst droughts in our history. This drought has indirectly caused Californians to lose their homes, businesses, and in some cases, their lives. The direct blame for these hardships belongs to the increase in wildfires, which are bad enough without being exacerbated by a drought. In 2015 wildfires, that the Weather Channel estimates will cost the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection 209 million dollars, have burned over eleven million acres of land.  

The most devastating of these fires so far is the “Valley Fire”, which is the 15th largest fire in California history, burning over 76,000 acres in southern Lake County. Fortunately, it is 97 percent contained and all evacuated residents of affected areas have been able to return to what remains of their homes. According to the California Fire Tracker,  four civilian have lose their lives and four out of the 815 firefighters have been injured. The fire has already destroyed 1,985 structures and huge amounts of resources have been expended to keep the number from rising.

It is an extremely tough time for families and business owners who have recently been allowed back to see what is left of their homes and businesses. Many people have lost nearly everything and are forced to sleep in tents that they put up in parking lots; ABC 7 says that on average it takes at least one to two years to rebuild your life after a catastrophe such as this. Fortunately, nonprofits like the Center for Volunteer and Nonprofit Leadership (CVNL), are helping victims get their lives back.

This drought is nowhere near over and as long as it continues, the fire season will keep getting worse and worse. Luckily, an El Niño is headed our way and will decrease the and wildfires, but still not end the drought. In the meantime firefighters are doing their best to keep us Californians safe.

Photo Citation

“What We’ve Lost in the Methow Valley Wildfires.” – High Country News. N.p., 21 Aug. 2015. Web. 14 Oct. 2015. <https://www.hcn.org/articles/twisp-wildfire-washington-firefighter-deaths-methow-valley>.