California Winds Are Fueling Fires. It May Be Getting Worse.

An increase in hot and dry winds is common during the fall season in the West Coast. However, this time around, the amount and intensity of fires spurred by this winds have increased dramatically—8.5 million acres of land have been devastated by wildfires, in contrast to the yearly average of 6 million. Scientists speculate that the rise in atmospheric temperature and climate change may have contributed to the increase in harsh winds this fall. In general, these winds (called Diablo winds) are a result of high-pressure air that accumulates in regions with high elevations, like the Great Basin of Nevada. This air travels to regions of low elevation by the west coast, where it picks up speed among low-pressure air. As air descends, it becomes hotter and drier, and areas with very low elevation like canyons serve as catalysts for these winds. Hot and dry winds moving at high speeds cause wildfires to start easily and intensely. Research suggests that climate change may cause the air in higher elevation areas to have a higher atmospheric pressure, as well as a longer season of strong winds. This combination will only result in more devastating fires.

While residents of California and other western states expect these wildfires to occur over season, they are never completely prepared for the damage that these fires cause. These blazes leave many people injured, dead, and homeless as they destroy property, businesses, and crops. Wildfires also travel very quickly, leaving residents with very little time to flee once they see a fire starting. The recent increase in wildfires also causes the quality of air to decrease sharply as people either evacuate or are hospitalized for smoke inhalation and other effects. As this season of dry/hot winds and resulting wildfires lengthens, there are more damages as well as a need for more resources to recover from these disastrous events.