California: one of the US states that seem to be reported in the news very frequently. It is, without a doubt, one of the most populated as well. In being so, it also means more people get affected by its yearly fire season, considered to be our “new normal.” This year was no different, as California dealt with well over 40 different fires in the past few months. On the left is a map of fire incidents that arose this year made by Cal Fire, which was last updated on October 26, 2020 (gray marks being a fire that has now been 100% contained, while red marks being fires which are still active). Following the recent wildfires here in California, many had to evacuate their homes, including staff from ACHS, we asked these members of our school to share their experiences.
Just as one would expect, being evacuated is a very scary predicament that one can find themselves in. Needing to quickly round up all necessities and things of importance while staying calm is a rather difficult task. In the case of Mrs. Harris, she would evacuate from her home in Vacaville at 5 o'clock in the morning after her neighbor told her that the LNU Lightning Complex Fire was getting closer. Her four-year-old son would be a reminder for her that remaining calm during the situation would be important as he’d be watching.
“We did not [plan for this] before this since we never thought it would happen to us but we do now,” said Ms. Ambrose, “It was scary because we didn’t know what to expect.”
She grabbed her kids and her dog, along with important papers, leaving with an initial fear if she forgot anything important that wasn’t replaceable and if they’ll come back.
Seeing the remnants caused by the fires on the news, then receiving an issue to evacuate sparked waves of emotions and anxiety. Being afraid of the home you worked hard to achieve, belongings with sentimental value, becoming a victim, and losing everything was a fear that many had. Our club advisor Mr. Hayburn who had to evacuate mentions,
“...we could wake up the next morning and it could all be gone…”
“Houses were reduced to foundations and ashes, metal fences and cars had melted, and the hills and trees (as far as you could see) were black and smoking. We felt like this could have been us and had so much sympathy for our fellow Vacaville residents and neighbors. I hadn't personally witnessed that type of destruction,” he said when he drove through Pleasant Valley where the fire hit the most.
The likelihood of these occurring fires ending is very unlikely. “It’s nature and we can't control it. We have grown used to being on alert during these times,” says Ms. Ambrose. With climate change making our planet less hospitable by the day and President Trump’s disbelieving science and climate change, it seems very unlikely that there will be hope for stopping these destructive fire seasons. In this year alone, California has set a record for 20 million acres burned. It might not be too late to act and end these fire seasons, but the time of action is now. According to the United Nations in a General assembly meeting in 2019, we have “11 years” before climate change is irreversible.
Thoughts and prayers to those affected by these fires. We also send a special thanks to Mrs. Ambrose, Mrs. Harris, and Mr. Hayburn for sharing their stories with us.
Comments