Jan. 16, 2019
By Jessica Zheng
Staff Writer
Known as the Camp Fire, the wildfire that ravaged Northern California in November evoked feelings of shock and terror. In the end, the fire scorched 153,336 acres.
Eighty-six people died, and more than 18,804 structures were destroyed in the blaze. Those who lost their homes struggled to find a place to stay, often living in parking lots outside of shopping centers either in cars or tents.
The Camp Fire is now known as the deadliest and most destructive fire in California history.
The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection has determined that PG&E’s power equipment was responsible for many of the wine country fires. According to the Sacramento Bee, Cal Fire is currently investigating whether problems on a transmission tower caused the Camp Fire.
In late November, the BBC reported that about 9,400 firefighters were battling wildfires across the state.
Junior Samantha Piromalli said she feels sympathetic towards the victims affected by wildfires.
“If I lost my home in a wildfire, I wouldn’t really know what to do. I would hope that my family is okay because they can’t be replaced,” Piromalli said. “I believe some wildfires only happen because it’s so hot and dry in California, but to protect themselves, people should be careful lighting campfires.”
Piromalli has traveled to California over the summer for a vacation and said she would love to visit the state again.
“Natural disasters happen everywhere, so I don’t think the wildfires would affect my decision [to visit],” Piromalli said.
Sophomore Jessa Dell’Aquila said although she does not know much about the Camp Fire, she feels bad for the families affected.
“I would be upset if I lost my home because I would lose a lot of valuables things,” Dell’Aquila said.
She said even though it would be challenging, she would rebuild her home because she would want to stay near her friends and family.
“I think that it would be hard to rebuild a house because it’s a lot of money and a lot of effort and time,” Dell’Aquila said.
As the fire kept burning in California, singer Kanye West and television personality Kim Kardashian West hired a team of private firefighters to save their mansion and protect the rest of their neighborhood.
Dell’Aquila said it is not fair that firefighters were being hired to save celebrities’ houses while others did not have access to this type of protection.
“I don’t think it is fair that firefighters are just looking to save expensive houses when millions of other normal people are being affected,” Dell’Aquila said.
While the West home was preserved through the services of private firefighters, many celebrities including singer Miley Cyrus, television personality Khloé Kardashian, singer Lady Gaga and singer Robin Thicke all lost their homes.
Biology teacher Ms. Manzella said wildfires are uncontrolled fires that happen in nature when fuel, oxygen and a heat source are present.
“Environmental conditions such as [a] drier climate, accumulation of dead and/or dry underbrush and wind can cause a fire to spread quickly through a large area,” Manzella said.
She said natural wildfires are usually caused when lightning strikes vegetation in drier environmental conditions.
“However, the start of many wildfires in the U.S. can be traced to anthropogenic—human—activities,” Manzella said. “Some of these activities can be the improper disposal of lit cigarette butts on land, campfires or burning yard waste that has been left unattended or unmonitored, use of fireworks, electrical equipment failure or engine sparks and intentional acts of arson.”
She said human behaviors have altered the landscape or climate and have contributed to extended fire seasons and increased wildfire frequency.
“There is evidence that the fire season in California this year had been extended through November due to regional warming and drying due to changes in climate,” said Manzella.
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