California, the west coast state plagued with drought is still struggling against another one of nature’s vices.
Eight states in the west are experiencing large-scale forest fires, but the one eating away at the Sierra Nevada forests east of Fresno is California’s largest. It is now at least 134 square miles, and only about a quarter of it is contained. The fire began at the end of July, initiated by a lightning strike.
Mother nature is playing her part in squelching the fires, however. Winds are pushing the blaze back onto itself, and the favorable levels of humidity and cooler temperatures have aided the efforts of the more than 2,000 firefighters warring against the inferno.
The wildfire has forced a change of plans for many campers who were hoping to enjoy an extended holiday weekend in the area. “We’re concerned about people trying to stay in their tents and outdoors with so much smoke in the air,” said US Forest Service spokeswoman Denise Alonzo in a Fox News piece. She suggested that Labor Day weekend campers shift their plans southward toward the Giant Sequoias for cleaner air and a more relaxing and healthy outing.
We’re concerned about people trying to stay in their tents and outdoors with so much smoke in the air.
Experts say that the wildfire season is currently at its peak, and children and the elderly in affected areas are particularly at risk, given the change in air quality. Kings Canyon campsite has already issued an air quality warning of “unhealthy to very unhealthy,” according to the Los Angeles Times. Roughly ten campgrounds in the area are closed.
On August 20, one particular fast-moving fire necessitated the evacuation of 2,500 people from Hume Lake Christian Camp and other nearby areas. No evacuations occurred yesterday.
The fire wasn’t the only disruption to those enjoying the great outdoors east of Fresno. A bug infestation hit the eastern side of the Sierra Nevada recently as well.
