Greetings from California
Wildfires are a natural part of the forest ecology. They play an important role in clearing out dead vegetation, stimulating new growth, and creating habitats for certain species. But human activity is affecting this pattern, whether through global warming) which makes fires more common and more extensive) or fire starting, whether accidentally or even deliberately.
We visited Lassen Volcanic National Park a few days ago (full post to follow). The park had only recently reopened after several months of closure due to what became known as the Park Fire. That night we stayed at a lodge in nearby Childs Meadow. We had no hot water as the service still hadn’t been restored following that same fire which had passed right by the property; a minor inconvenience compared with what many had suffered as a result of the fire.
The Park Fire was started deliberately. On 24th July a man was seen pushing a car that was on fire down into a gully n
near Chico, some 50 miles to the south of Lassen. The fire grew to become the fourth-largest in California history. It destroyed 709 buildings and damaged another 54. It burned a total of 429,603 acres before being fully contained on September 26th. Thousands of people had to be evacuated from their homes, although thankfully no lives were lost. So much devastation caused by the actions of just one man.
PS editing to add a link to Terri’s Sunday Stills Trees theme, at her suggestion!
39 Comments
equinoxio21
Yeah. All it takes is one man. To start a fire or a holy war… (Shaking head emoji)
Sarah Wilkie
Very true, on both counts
Easymalc
The post from California seems to be taking a long time to get to the West Country Sarah.
Sarah Wilkie
But these virtual postcards are instant 😃
Easymalc
LOL
Alison
Truly horrific, I don’t suppose they will ever catch him. Hope it didn’t spoil your stay too much.
Sarah Wilkie
Oh no, they already have him as his neighbours reported it! And no, it didn’t spoil our trip at all 🙂
grandmisadventures
oh the fires of summer out west. There were always so many fires in California on through to Utah that they were all named so everyone could keep track of them. It would be crazy to see entire mountainsides in flames.
Sarah Wilkie
Yes, we’ve noticed how they all have names. The one burning (under control) in Sequoia NP right now is apparently the Happy Fire!
Christie
So much insanity these days, absolutely scary..
Sarah Wilkie
Indeed 😞
Monkey's Tale
How sad. I’m guessing they didn’t find the guy. Unfortunately we have a lot of wild fires in western Canada too. Not enough snow and rain leaving our mountain forests very dry. Maggie
Sarah Wilkie
Oh yes, I believe they have arrested him as his neighbours were able to identify him as the likely culprit
Monkey's Tale
Oh good.
Teresa
Scary. Some people deliberately start fires here too, causing massive Bushfires.
Leanne Cole
As Carol said fires are part of the ecology here in Australia. We need them. We have found here that they don’t do enough burning and now with climate change the chances of doing them is diminishing. We are all screwed really. It is sad.
Sarah Wilkie
We heard from a national park ranger how the authorities are having to respond to climate change and manage fires differently, but it’s a challenge to get the balance right
Leanne Cole
The same thing is happening here. They know they know they need to burn off, but they need perfect conditions to do it and they don’t get them enough so the forest floor builds up with too much fuel. We really have done a number on the planet.
restlessjo
Horrific story, Sarah! There are often allegations of them being started deliberately here, but nothing so blatant as that.
Sarah Wilkie
I think that is the case here too, it’s not always as obviously deliberate
kzmcb
Oh, we know too well how devastating they can be.
Sarah Wilkie
Yes, I’m sure you must do!
the eternal traveller
It’s the same here. Many of our native plants need fire to germinate the seeds and we also need backburning to prevent large bushfires from taking hold and causing major damage. And sadly we too have people who deliberately start fires. It’s beyond understanding.
Sarah Wilkie
Thanks for your insights about your own native plants. It’s such a shame that some people have to be so destructive
Terri Webster Schrandt
That tree certainly goes with this week’s Sunday Stills trees theme, Sarah. The park fire was devastating to an area that has burned before. that is was started on purpose, maliciously makes me sick. Lassen and Shasta are beautiful areas.
When I lived in Sacramento, on cold, clear winter days, you could see both peaks from there. Happy trails!
Sarah Wilkie
Thank you Terri. I’ve not been reading so many blogs while travelling so I missed seeing your theme but I can add a link for sure 😀
thehungrytravellers.blog
I have absolutely no words for or about the idiots the human race creates these days. I no longer blame the parents, I blame social media.
Sarah Wilkie
I’m not sure who I blame – there’s such a thing as personal responsibility too.
Anabel @ The Glasgow Gallivanter
Shocking that anyone could do that.
Sarah Wilkie
Isn’t it just?!
Anne Sandler
It was difficult to press the “Like” button for this post. Too bad there’s not a “Love your post and image, but the subject is terrifying” button. As you saw, Lassen NP has barely come back from the last fire. So much of this beautiful area was lost. I hope you enjoyed Lassen and could imagine it as it was with beautiful trees where the burned out areas stand.
Sarah Wilkie
I often wish for more nuanced buttons on WP Anne, like those on Facebook. Yes, we were able to enjoy Lassen and many parts thankfully weren’t affected and still have healthy trees. We’re now in Kings Canyon / Sequoia and have been learning more about how sequoias need ‘good’ fires in order to reproduce.
Anne Sandler
Oh, you are in my favorite NP right now. We used to camp there every year. The old General Sherman is a grand tree. Enjoy!
Sarah Wilkie
We saw General Grant yesterday and will visit General Sherman tomorrow 😀
Annie Berger
Such devastation caused by the reckless action of one individual. I wonder what the repercussions are for him and whether he’ll die a free man or remain incarcerated. Enjoy Sequoia and Kings Canyon as that’s a beautiful part of the West.
Sarah Wilkie
I don’t know what the punishment is likely to be – I don’t think he’s even been formally charged, and certainly not tried.
margaret21
Goodness. What a dreadful story. I know ‘normal’ wildfires are important. But a flaming car, doubtless full of petrol or diesel doesn’t come into that category. Your first photo looks a little bleak. After the fire, I suppose?
Sarah Wilkie
Yes, after the fire – you can see the burned trees in both photos which were taken from our lodge’s car park. You can understand how close it came when you compare the burned ones with the nearer line of trees that survived.
margaret21
Scary.