Southern California’s most destructive wintertime wildfires have devoured over 150,000 acres and hundreds of homes, barely 2 months after wildfires gutted Northern California killing 44 people, burning over 200,000 acres, and destroying 15,000 homes. The fire emergency has left the most vulnerable survivors in dire need of rescue and assistance.
Experts say thirteen of California’s largest ever wildfires have been recorded since the year 2000. Since 1970 temperatures in western US have increased by about twice the global average and climate change is responsible for the dryness of western forests and the increased length of the fire season. Scientists have warned for years that the region was entering a year-round fire regime with 94% less rain in what is California’s rainiest season. Governor Jerry Brown has termed the fires the “new normal”.
Trump’s tax cuts add to fire
Meanwhile, the Trump administration’s largest-ever tax cut for the rich is set to dry up tax credits for solar, wind and EVs as the govt approves drilling for oil and gas in the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge to boost fossil fuel extraction.
