San Diego Wildfires - Smoke And Ash Debris A Public Health Concern Essay

On March 6,2017, the Panhandle of Texas caught on fire. The wildfire had burned over 500,000 acres of land. Most of this land includes livestock and feed for livestock. Several people had died during this traumatic event, because they were trying to save their livestock and land Cortana (2017). The wildfires burning in Texas can be seen from space, they are that huge Cortana (2017).

In 2003, possibly one of the worst wildfires in California’s history occurred. This fire, referred to as the Cedar Fire, spread across 273,246 acres.

In October 2003, San Diego experienced the Cedar Fire that claimed 273,246 acres, 2,820 structures, and 15 lives (CAL FIRE, 2015). It gained the moniker, “The Hundred Year Fire” because another fire of its magnitude was not expected for another 100 years (San Diego Fire Facts, 2016). This expectation was short lived because four years after this fire in October 2007, San Diego experienced the largest wildfire in history (San Diego Fire Facts, 2016). This fire gained the name, “Witch Fire” (CAL FIRE, 2015).

In 2016 “there have been more than 4,000 wildfires in California, with well over 300,000 acres of land burned” (Kieran Cooke).

The wildfire fighting agency, Cal Fire, has reported minor injuries and notes that most of the fires are over 60% contained. In some cases, the land damage has been substantial. Fires in San Bernardino and Alpine counties have burned almost 50,000 acres. Rocky Fire, one of the largest wildfires, has destroyed three homes and led to a mandatory evacuation order for about 500 homes. The fire's location in steep terrain is making work

Brush Fire by Linda Thomas, and The Santa Ana by Joan Didion, were both short essays written about the Santa Ana wildfires. Even though these essays share the same topic, the perspective and approach differ from one another. Brush Fire beautifies the scenery of wildfires in a calming tone. In contrast, The Santa Ana describes the wildfires in a more serious and intellectual tone, where it is known for destruction and tension. The two short essays create different messages while containing similarities. The different tones of the essays diverge from each other. The uses of rhetorical devices differs and intersects the writing of the two authors. Although both stories are taken in the same place, the authors describes their personal experiences differently.

The focus of this lesson will be teaching the students to examine the history of wildland fires and their impact on society in America and in their community. Students will explore different approaches to living with fire and will examine various fire management techniques including prescribed fire, fire suppression, and fire prevention. They will take a closer look at the Copper King Fire in Montana, and will conduct a research project of wildfire history in another state. Students will also gain a better understanding of the role of fire in a particular culture and the importance of wildfire in the ecosystem. They will also understand ways to reduce wildfire risk around their home and community. Furthermore, students will increase their knowledge

The Waldo Canyon Fire occurred on June 23, 2012 in Colorado. The area contained dry wild winds, and high temperatures as well as dry land; this resulted in the rapid spread of the fire. Firefighters responded to this situation by containing the fire spread, they checked the area where houses are close to vegetation. They evacuated the area to prevent more fatalities.

On august 29th at 2:30 in the morning a fire broke out by highway 190, east of Springville. The cause of the Pier fire is human caused but is still under investigation; New research shows that humans are the cause of 84% of all wildfires. As of september 18 it has burnt 36,556 acres and is at 95% containment, the estimated containment date is september 20th 12:00 am. And at 10:00am september 18th Tulare County officials lifted all evacuation orders for the Pier Fire, and Highway 190 is now open to traffic. The communities that had mandatory evacuation where Sequoia Crest, Mountain Aire, Rogers Camp, Pierpoint Springs, Cedar Slope, Camp Nelson, Doyle Springs, Alpine Village and Wishon. But the civilians coming back to their homes still have to be aware of the danger still prevalent, such as falling trees and smoke inhalation.

On October 20, 1991 a large suburban conflagration swept through the hillsides of Oakland California and into the backyards of Berkley. The Oakland Hills Firestorm went down in history as one of the worst fires since the Great San Francisco Earthquake and Fire of 1906. Twenty-five people lost their lives that Sunday, one hundred and fifty others were injured, and a total of one thousand five hundred and twenty acres of land was scorched. The destruction included three thousand three hundred and fifty four single family dwellings and four hundred and thirty seven apartments. All and all, they estimated the total loss at 1.5 billion dollars.

The article discusses the conditions in San Joaquin Valley after the state’s largest fire left it covered in dust. On the one hand, the fire so far has spared lives and homes, but on the other hand, it has caused dangerous drops in air quality that can cause public health problems and threaten life. It discusses what many of the conditions are like since the drought has begun and how the longer wildfire season means more smoke in the air more often. Dr. Jain, an associate professor at the University of California, San Francisco said that, “It’s kind of a worst nightmare situation.” I agree because the amount of soot in the air is dangerous for all forms of life and can cause a number of respiratory health problems that can be fatal. Dr. Malik

June 4, 2012 a fire broke out in the Lincoln National Forest just north of Ruidoso, NM. The fire was to be called the Little Bear Fire and in the end engulfed about 44,000 acres and destroyed 254 structures. Of the structures burnt, 242 of those were homes. The fire was caused by lightening and was initially a very small fire. A team of Mescalero firefighters was dropped into the scene by helicopter

Day 1: I have arrived in Gatlinburg, Tennessee to help victims of the tragedies that have occurred during the lethal fires spreading throughout the Great Smokey Mountains. The team and I have brought water supplies to last until our last day, along with food and other snacks. So far, we have not yet discovered what started these fires. Our team has decided to put non injured victims into a hotel until finding them a new shelter. 14,000 residents were evacuated from Gatlinburg around noon. The fires continue to grow and roar at the innocent mountains that several claim home. Winds were up to 70 mph, forcing the fires to continue and spread throughout the forests.

According to Merriam-Webster’s Dictionary, Wildfire means “a sweeping and destructive conflagration esp. in a wilderness or a rural area.” Also according to the same dictionary, wilderness means “a tract or region uncultivated and uninhabited by human beings.” Forest Fires happen when there is a drought because branches and twigs die and dry out creating plenty of fuel for a fire. According to the NIFC (National Interagency Fire Center) there are about 105,534 wildfires that occur each year.

Humans have been changing the Western forests' fire system since the settlement by the Europeans and now we are experiencing the consequences of those changes. During the summer of 2002, 6.9 million acres of forests was burnt up in the West (Wildland Fires, 1). This figure is two times the ten year annual average, and it does not look like next summer will be any better (Wildfire Season, 1).