Thousands of residents have been instructed to evacuate as a wildfire continues to spread uncontrollably in northern California, amid a nationwide heatwave described as "record-breaking and dangerous," which is hindering firefighting efforts. Over 3,500 acres of grass and woodland have been destroyed since the fire started on Tuesday near Oroville. This town, located close to the state capital Sacramento, is only 38 kilometers from Paradise, which was devastated by the state's deadliest fire in 2018, claiming 85 lives.
Garrett Sjolund, the fire chief of Butte County, has issued a "red flag warning" for the area. He emphasized that the current conditions are significantly different from those of the past two summers, with dense fuels and extremely dry brush, making fires spread rapidly with any wind. According to local reports, more than 25,000 people were ordered to evacuate on Wednesday.
Climate scientists note that the western US is experiencing prolonged aridification due to changing weather patterns, partly influenced by human-induced global warming. California has recently emerged from a 20-year drought, but 2024 is expected to be particularly hot and dry, increasing the risk of wildfires.
Officials are warning of potential catastrophic fires, especially with the upcoming July 4th Independence Day, urging caution with fireworks. Butte County Sheriff Kory Honea stressed the severity of the current fire season and cautioned against irresponsible use of fireworks. Approximately 1,400 firefighters are currently battling the fire using heavy machinery and aerial support.
California Governor Gavin Newsom has declared a state of emergency in Butte County to mobilize additional resources. The National Weather Service predicts extreme temperatures in the coming days, affecting nearly half of the US population, including during the July 4th weekend. This heatwave is expected to set numerous temperature records, highlighting the increasing frequency of extreme weather events due to global warming.
