My Thoughts on the 2018 California Fires

Hello.
As the two large fires currently burning in California continue to do so, I feel more inclined and obligated to write about this topic. The Camp Fire in Butte County, this morning, has reached an unacceptably high death toll of 29, and the entire town of Paradise, California is nearly gone. Malibu has also undergone severe destruction. Firefighters are experiencing difficulty fighting this pair of blazes and the state of California is currently undergoing a crisis.

Tens have died, thousands of structures have been destroyed, and hundreds of thousands, if not millions, have been evacuated and forced to depart their homes, only able to hope that their home and all of their belongings will not be the fire's next victim. These conflagrations have ruined and, in some cases, ended lives. Fires are devastating. I have deep sympathy for those who died in this tragic and horrible event. I also strongly hope that those whose homes have been destroyed or whose loved ones have died can recover from the grief and suffering this must cause. I also hope that those who have been evacuated can safely wait out the fire and then return with their homes, belongings, and spirits intact. I also hope that more resources and funding will be given to CalFire on both a federal and state level to help ensure that these fires do not happen again.

Where I live, in the Bay Area, the air quality has suffered. I emerged from school Thursday to the smell of smoke everywhere, wondering if there was a local neighborhood fire. High winds pushed the smoke from the Camp Fire into the Bay Area, and tomorrow, more high winds are expected in the entire state. During these fires, I have worn and will continue to wear a mask while outdoors to try to not inhale too much smoke. Some rooms in my house, despite all of my doors and windows being closed for a long time, have been filled somewhat with smoke. If you live anywhere in California or Southern Oregon, please remain indoors and use proper ventilation until the fires have subsided.

NH

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