"Driving along the 138, everything looks scorched." Credit: @Brittny_Mejia
Wildfire season is off to a heavy start in California. 3 large wildfires - Blue Cut, Clayton, and Chimney - have collectively burned over 43,000 acres and destroyed over 200 homes. Many firefighters are claiming they have never seen fire behavior from these fires quite like they have this year. We keep hearing this year after year. The new norm is the abnormal with climate change.
Our thoughts are with all of those who have lost loved ones, homes and valuables through the rash of wildfires burning through California. Big shoutout to the first responders who have put their lives on the line during these harrowing fires.
"Paik said he has lived intermittently in his van over the last two days. When he left his house Tuesday night, he said, he didn't bring anything with him, but returned to his powerless home the next day to get clothes and his passport.
'The firemen worked hard,' he said. 'I had … confidence, maybe overconfidence, so I just brought nothing.'"
"Firefighters use standard guidelines to maneuver amid a fire, he said, prioritizing life safety over property conservation and property conservation over environmental protection. But there is no one-size-fits-all approach.
'It helps the firefighters,' he said, 'but every fire is different. There’s not a set ‘If this is happening, do this.’ It’s all up to the best judgment of the firefighters.'"