For the past month, fires have been raging throughout the West Coast. Nearly 6.3 million acres of land has been scorched by an estimate of 12,000 fires.
California Governor Gavin Newsom predicted that the majority of the fires were caused by poorly maintained forests that were set on fire by storms on the 16th and 17th of August. A quarter of the fires were predicted to be caused by humans, specifically instances such as gender reveal parties and arson. An estimated total of 18,000 buildings have been burnt as a result. Newsom has requested that the US Forest Service remove dead trees quicker next year to eliminate the main fuel for the fires before the fires begin.
Throughout the state of Oregon, an estimated 1.3 million acres of land have been burned, taking nearly 5,000 buildings with it. Two of the biggest fires in the state, the Beachie Creek and Lionshead fires recently merged forming one of the largest fires ever recorded in the state. The newly named Santiam fire combined with several other smaller fires and ended up destroying over 400,000 acres of land.
Washington’s fires have been blazing since March, as of mid September, they had ruined 713,000 acres of land and destroyed nearly 200 homes. The fires have charred nearly half a million acres in total.
With all of this damage, what is being done to fix the estimated cost of damages? Is it predicted to be around 150 Billion dollars? A couple of counties in California have given emergency cash grants to victims who lost their homes. The Red Cross and Salvation Army are giving out food, health services, and other help to victims throughout the west coast. Hundreds of smaller charities are helping victims throughout the West Coast; they’re also donating supplies to the firefighters.