Firefighters Fight Wildfires During COVID
Over 3.5 million acres of land have been burned due to California wildfires since August 2020, as reported by the National Public Radio (NPR). While wildfires have been happening in California sporadically since July, they have especially grown volatile since 11,000 lightning strikes hit, creating roughly 370 fires according to NPR. In a recent update, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection announced that the Martindale fire has burned roughly 230 acres of land, but only 40 percent has been contained. As fires continue to spread throughout California, Oregon and Colorado, thousands of firefighters are on the front lines–concerned not only about the spread of the fire and climate change, but also about the effects of the spread of coronavirus (COVID-19) on their job. The California wildfires have affected many communities, including those on the Peninsula, as poor air quality has halted several activities. Currently, the pandemic has resulted in a lack of incarcerated firefighters, impacting firefighting efficiency. Usually, hundreds of minimum-security prisoners are employed by the government to fight fires, but recently, the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation began releasing prisoners who had 180 days or fewer left on their sentences since July 1, according to the Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS); 5,627 inmates have been released since July due to health concerns, leaving less than 600 inmates to help battle the fires. Upon seeing the understaffed and overwhelmed firefighter department, California governor Gavin Newsom passed AB 2147 into law on Sept. 12, which allows previously incarcerated citizens to become firefighters. Previously, newly released inmates were not allowed to become firefighters until they had been out of prison for a decade. With this newly passed bill, current firefighters can begin to receive additional help to control the California wildfires. Despite the lack of extra employees and stricter quarantine safety procedures, Station 106 firefighter paramedic Derrick Ho and his colleagues will continue putting in the effort to keep California citizens safe.
“Things have definitely been different for us [firefighters] due to the pandemic,” Ho said. “We have to remain socially distanced throughout the day. The lack of incarcerated fire crews have affected us, but overall, when it comes to fighting wildfires, we are still doing our job and protecting communities.”
While firefighters have been occupied by putting out fires, many citizens are noticing the impact that climate change has had on the spread of the wildfires and the environment as a whole. With the initial brittle and dry condition of the land, an increase of wildfires was to be expected. According to Daniel Swain, a University of California, Los Angeles climate scientist, the dryness, high temperatures and less dependable precipitation make climate change the obvious cause for these wildfires. For Peninsula senior Gabrielle Pack, climate change is a pressing concern.
“For me, these fires have indicated how much climate change is affecting our world,” Pack said. “It is very sad to see land and wildlife being destroyed
by these fires, and it shows that now more than ever we need to fix the issue of climate change. In order to do that, people need to realize climate change is real and actively help prevent pollution.”
The lack of widespread knowledge regarding fire safety trails behind climate change as a cause of climate change. Human-caused fires make up 90 percent of wildfires in California, according to the San Francisco Chronicle. This statistic indicates the importance of knowing basic fire safety. Methods that people can employ to help prevent fires include removing brush from their yard, cleaning pine needles off roofs and taking precautions while handling flames. These steps can have a significant impact toward preventing wildfires and making a conscious eco-friendly effort. Senior Alexis Ferguson recognizes climate change as an issue that cannot be ignored.
“I think a big part of reducing the amount of wildfires is being responsible,” senior Alexis Ferguson said. “People also cannot disregard the effects pollution and climate change have on our environment. The outbreak of these dangerous fires should be a wake-up call for everyone [because only] together can we get through this pandemic and save our environment.”
