By Delaney Norris, Staff Writer
DISASTER: Wildfires have destroyed millions of acres of land over the summer.
Every time summer rolls around, millions become weary of the possibility of wildfires. It seems we can’t go even one summer without one devastating fire and this summer was no different. The worst fires so far have occured in Oregon and California, but there have been smaller fires in other states. The fires have burned millions of acres and left many communities shrouded in smoke. The plumes are so large they have traveled as far as Europe. Dry climate, lightning strikes, and an accidental fire caused by a gender reveal party have wreaked havoc on the land.
On September 5th, a couple decided to throw a party revealing the sex of their baby— but it did not go as planned. Surveillance cameras captured the event and saw the couple and their guests, lighting a pyrotechnic device. Not long after, the footage shows everyone scrambling for water to extinguish the flames. Unfortunately, those flames became what is now the El Dorado fire which has destroyed over 22,500 acres of land, including 4 homes, since it has started.
Oregon declared fire season on July 5th, but in September, high winds and dry climate increased the number of wildfires in the state. Over 1,000,000 acres have been burned, 40,000 people have been evacuated, and over 500,000 people are in evacuation warning areas. The Almeda-drive fire greatly affected the cities of Phoenix and Talent Oregon with over 2,800 structures destroyed. According to officials, the Almeda-drive fire was human-made, but they have not found the culprit yet.
Although it may seem fun to have a campfire with family in the woods, always be mindful of the possibility of starting a devastating wildfire that burns away 22,500 acres of forest and multiple homes, during fire season. Always check the wildfire signs at national parks to ensure that it is safe to have a campfire that day, and never start a campfire near dry brush or anything highly flammable.