It seems that the whole West Coast of the United States is on fire. In fact the smoke from the fires has moved across our country and made its way to Europe.
People have lost homes and livelihoods. Some have lost their lives. Animals are affected too.
I grew up in mostly rural areas. I know that burn-offs are used to clear land. I know that if the farmers do not tend to their land fires will break out as a control. The same thing happens to forests. And to be clear (as politicians say) I have also lived on the edge of a forest where fires are raging this year.
If left unchecked timberland will tend to itself. Larger trees will block sunlight from smaller trees. Larger trees will suck up a larger amount of moisture from the ground. A lot of the smaller trees languish and do not grow.
At the same time some of the older trees die. They fall over. Natural occurrences like wind and lightning attack them and they fall.
It seems sad for the older trees. Did you know that a lot of animals and other plants live exclusively in snags? That is what the fallen trees are called.
Dead leaves and dead trees rot and return to the soil. Nutrients from the process feed new trees.
It has been suggested that improper forest management is responsible for the fires burning at this moment. Perhaps there is some validity to that. I do not agree.
It has been said that Finland, for instance, has fewer forest fires because they sweep the forest floors. Not true.
Finland lies partially within the Arctic Circle. The environment is cold and damp. There are a lot of lakes and swamps. Weather patterns are different than those of California.
The Finns DO NOT rake the floors of the forests. When they learned that was being said they made amusing pictures and cartoons about it.
Although the fires are in all the states on the West Coast I am singling California for this discussion.
A large portion of California is on fire. We call them forest fires Some of the burning is occurring because of invasive grasses not native to California.
What causes the fires? Lightning striking dry trees and shrubs. Carelessness with campfires and cigarettes. Arson. One fire was even caused by a couple who wanted to announce the gender of their expected baby.
California's climate is dry. The fact that it seldom rains makes a desirable environment for many people.
They build new homes and a great portion of those are close to the wild. That is a danger zone when the fires start.
Who is responsible for caring for the forestland in California? There are about 33 million acres of forest in California. State and local agencies own about 3%. Approximately 40% is privately owned. 57% is owned by the Federal Government.
The US Forest Service, the Bureau of Land Management, and the National Parks Service are responsible for taking care of 57% of California's forests. Perhaps they need to rake the floors of the forests to prevent fires?
You laid it out very well, Emma. The fires, which seem to get worse every year, are also impacted by climate change. My daughter lives in CA and was within hours of evacuating. Thankfully, the firefighters were able to get a handle on it. I love California, but between earthquakes and fires, I wish she would move to a different state.
ReplyDeleteI have not been to California. It scares me a bit. Best wishes to your daughter and all of those affected by the conditions there.
DeleteSomething has to be done; even if global warming plays a part.
ReplyDeleteI agree. Maybe the federal government could work with the state government to lessen the problem.
DeleteI live in a national recreation area with vast acres of timber. Trees fall constantly. You cannot walk through the woods for the fallen timber. The old timers here say there should be controlled burns or some day it will come back to bite the fed's ass. The feds say no burning, the current state of affairs is "natural".
ReplyDeleteThere must be some sort of happy medium.
Delete"Never Strike A Happy Medium" is one of my favorite titles by Louise Huebner (Official Witch of L.A.), but the substance of your post is quite sound. I have lived in California over 70 years and have seen much that has dismayed me --careless campfires, poor cigarette disposal, arson and asininity-- but lightning strikes happen and that's what mainly got us burning down this year. My vigilance usually begins July 4th here in the prairie outside Sacramento. I have fought many fires started by pyroclastic "patriots" who like roof-burning rockets over common sense. As for "gender-reveal", the originator of that party idea endorsed pink or blue baked goods and never mentioned explosives. Idiots thought of that themselves.
ReplyDeleteI agree with everything you said.
DeleteI am convinced it is climate change and it is happening all over. Keep well and stay safe, Diane
ReplyDeleteClimate change by itself does not start forest fires. Changing conditions can exacerbate and facilitate the severity of the fires.
Deletethis is really informative and interesting post for me dear Emma
ReplyDeletei completely agree what Geo said in his comment
fires are rarely possible without careless public behavior
i hope authorities do something about fires asap
We are all hoping the fires will be under control soon.
DeleteSweeping the forest floor? That is a strange thing.
ReplyDeletePart of the fire problem happens in unincorporated areas where very nice homes are perched over canyons, and by overgrown fields. those houses burn to cinders.
The Grand fire off Lake Elsinore is basically contained, but it was hit hard when the Paradise and Camp fires 2019 sneaked over.
thanks for this post.
Thank you for the additional information. Sweeping the forest floor just made me laugh the first time I heard it.
DeleteThanks Emma for a very informative post because I for one had no knowledge of sweeping the forest floor. And while lightning strikes and other acts of nature may be responsible for fires in Ca and PR, human nature may also be the culprit sue to carelessness. Sadly not only has there been much loss of forestland, but many homes and businesses and some lives.
ReplyDeleteIt is tragic to see the losses from the fires. Even if it would work (and it would not) sweeping forest floors is not possible. It is not done anywhere.
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