Wildfires Rage Across the American West Amidst Scorching Heat Wave
As a new heat wave sweeps across the American West, states like California, Oregon, and Utah are grappling with devastating wildfires. On Sunday, two fires erupted in Riverside County, east of Los Angeles, burning approximately 800 hectares (8 square kilometers) and prompting evacuation orders. Firefighters are currently engaged in combatting 21 fires of varying sizes across California, as reported by the CalFire agency.
The situation is exacerbated by a heat wave affecting more than 30 million Americans, with extreme temperatures forecasted for central California. Governor Gavin Newsom had previously warned in mid-July that this fire season “promises to be very active,” following two years of respite due to rainy winters. The regrowth of vegetation has become dangerously dry, making it easier for fires to spread, particularly with the heat waves recurring since early June.
Oregon and Utah Join the Fight Against Wildfires
Oregon is also facing significant fire challenges, with forest fires ravaging 840 square kilometers since the year's start, compared to an average of 156 square kilometers during the same period over the last five years. Governor Tina Kotek noted that the fire season in Oregon has “started very aggressively.” Among the numerous fires, the Cow Valley Fire has reached “megafire” status, devastating over 400 square kilometers in a rural area, although it is currently reported to be 80% contained.
In Utah, a fire near Salt Lake City led to the evacuation of approximately 40 homes, causing panic among residents. Roger Hobbs, a local, expressed his fear, stating, “I ran out of the house and said to myself, 'this is my backyard.'” This alarming trend of extreme weather is seen as a marker of global warming, linked to humanity's reliance on fossil fuels. The current heat wave follows the hottest June on record worldwide, according to the European Copernicus Observatory.
