Over the past two weeks numerous wildfires have spread across California, burning hundreds of thousands of acres and devastating many residents throughout the state. The fires have been deemed the most deadly and destructive in all of California’s history.
In the past week, more than 76 people have died and thousands of homes, belonging to low and middle class families and celebrities alike, have burned down due to the fires. In total, more than 300,000 people have evacuated their homes. Celebrities, such as Miley Cyrus and Robin Thicke, have lost their homes and are working on restoring their communities.
There are three major fires wreaking havoc across the state: Woolsey, Hill, and Camp Fire. Woolsey and Hill are spreading throughout Southern California. Woolsey Fire has spread to more than 98,000 acres across Los Angeles and Ventura. It has forced more than 200,000 people to evacuate their houses. Hill Fire has also taken over Ventura County, scorching 4,500 acres.
Camp Fire is creating chaos in Northern California, near the cities of Chico and Paradise. Camp is said to be the most destructive and deadly in California history. More than 50,000 people have evacuated their homes. According to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, the fire has burned down 141,000 acres and destroyed more than 10,300 homes.
Scientists believe the increase in destruction and deadliness of the frequent fires is due to climate change. As temperatures increase every year due to climate change, dry areas become drier, and snow melts earlier in the spring. As a result, wildfire season gets longer and longer.
Senior Joslyn Schafer is a member of Environmental Club and feels the need to help those who were affected by the fires. “It is important to recognize that these fires are due to increasingly high temperatures caused by climate change. We need to help California because there are thousands of people who have not only lost their houses, but their loved ones as well.”
Because of the terrible damage California and its residents have suffered, they are desperately in need of help. There are a number of organizations Pleasant Valley students can donate to such as the California Community Foundation’s Wildfire Relief Fund, which rebuilds homes and provides financial help to those affected by wildfires.
The United Way of Greater Los Angeles is also raising money for low-income residents affected by the fires in Southern California. Enloe Medical Center, a hospital in Chico, a site affected by Camp Fire, is accepting donations to help displaced families.
Christine Moose, a senior at Pleasant Valley, also finds it important to help those affected by these destructive wildfires. “These fires have caused so much damage and destruction. Many people are left homeless or have lost loved ones. I think any sort of donation would help restore the communities that have been lost.”
There are still many people missing and injured due to the fires. Any sort of donation would help them greatly. Moreover, thousands of houses were lost in the fires. It will take an enormous amount of money to help restore the communities lost. That change can start here, at Pleasant Valley High School.
