As the temperatures rise and humidity drops, western state authorities are raising concerns over wildfire. The landscape is getting drier in this summer heat wave that will still be baking much of the US on Thursday.
“We are not just in a fire season; we are in a fire year,” says Joe Tyler, executive director of the California department of forestry and fire protection. He stressed on extra caution because so far this year alone, the state has dealt with at least 3,500 wildfire which have consumed nearly 325 square miles (842 square kilometers) of vegetation – five times the average burned through July 10th for any of the last five years.
According to AP report, California crews are battling at least 19 major wildfire amid triple-digit temperatures and single-digit humidity. Finally there’s one major fire that has been going on steadily burning across 45 square miles (117 sq km) in Santa Barbara County Mountains northwest Los Angeles leading to evacuation orders for about 200 homes. Dry brush and grasses act as fuel for raging flames.
Oregon also had several fires including one situated about 111 miles (178 km) east of Portland that grew to cover about 11 square miles (28 km 2) on Wednesday due to high temperatures, strong winds and low humidity according to the state fire marshal. A record-breaking daily high temperature has prompted Governor Tina Kotek into issuing a declaration authorizing additional resources against fires.
The heat wave has affected over 142 million Americans in different parts of America with Western states having dozens of their areas either tying or breaking heat records throughout last weekend up until now. For instance Las Vegas has experienced its fifth straight day with maximum temperatures reaching or exceeding 115 F (46.1 C), eclipsing the previous record set in July 2005 by four days.
On East Coast weather service warned of extreme-to-extreme heat risk in some places. In Philadelphia area an excessive warning remains in place for northern Delaware and nearly all New Jersey with temperatures around 90 F (32.2 C) and heat index climbing as high as 108 F (42.2 C).
Some recent deaths including the motorcyclist in California’s Death Valley National Park and a third hiker at the Grand Canyon have been linked to extreme heat. In Arizona, authorities are looking into the death of a two year old boy left inside a hot vehicle and another four-month-old baby who died from complications related to heat.
In June this year, US had record-breaking temperature levels since records began, making it the world’s thirteenth consecutive warmest month and 12th month that has been 1.5 degrees Celsius (2.7F) warmer than pre-industrial times as confirmed by European climate service Copernicus.
This trapped heat is largely due to human-induced climate change caused by long-term warming effects coming from greenhouse gases emitted when burning fossil fuels according to scientists.
