Human behavior and wind are the culprits behind the terrible wildfires in California. However, forest management is not contributing to this problem. Climate change has been killing shrubs and trees for a long time. The wind is also making it easier for the fires to spread.
Kristen Thornike is a wildlife expert who works for Potsdam Institute for Climate Impact Research. She stated that the devastating fires are the result of nature and human forces coming together. Philip Denson is a fire scientist who works for the University of Utah. He stated that there are multiple factors that have lead to the fires. However, forest management is not one of those factors.
President Trump has blamed forest management for the fires. He stated that there is no excuse for the deadly fires that are occurring in California. He also stated that billions of dollars have been spent and lives have been lost due to poor forest management.
The wildfire that occurred in Northern California is one of the deadliest in history. Forty-two people died in this wildfire. Forty-four people have died in the fires statewide. The other two deaths were in Southern California.
One of the reasons that scientists do not blame forest management is because fires occurred back in 2005 and 2008. Philip reiterated that this is not about forest management. The areas that have fires are not forests.
Philip said that the biggest factor is the wind. The winds fortify the fire. Furthermore, California has been in a drought for several years. Many people have proposed cutting down trees to stop the fires.
Mike Flanigan is a fire scientist who works for the University of Alberta. He stated that global warming is making the weather hotter and drier. He also said that the warmer it is, the more likely fires are to happen.
