The Wildfires thread

[bing101]

Here is more fallout from the wildfires in the Inland Empire.

[bing101]

https://www.khon2.com/hawaii-fires/hfd-investigating-cause-of-mililani-fire-still-no-threat-to-homes/
Here is more fallout from the Mililani fire in Hawaii.

[Hunty2022]

There is currently a ~450 acre wildfire in Madison County, VA.

[bing101]

Here is a Wildfire update in Australia.

[bing101]

Here is the Wildfire in Oahu.

[triplemultiplex]

Don't worry, Hawaii.  As soon as my company tries to start up its annual project this winter, it'll start raining buckets.

[bing101]

Here is a 60 Minutes segment on the Maui Wildfires.

[bing101]

https://apnews.com/article/hawaii-wildfire-climate-change-lahaina-7c846f4d8e6a80e5c629d33347dc50e1

She died weeks after fleeing the Maui wildfire. Her family fought to have her listed as a victim.

[bing101]

https://apnews.com/article/hawaii-legislature-wildfires-housing-lahaina-92784bad1d073377149a88eab00e7904

Wildfire prevention and helping Maui recover from flames top the agenda for Hawaii lawmakers.

[bing101]

https://www.reuters.com/business/environment/raging-forest-fires-kill-least-19-chile-toll-expected-rise-2024-02-03/

A wildfire is hitting Chile.

[bing101]

https://www.reuters.com/business/environment/chile-president-says-wildfires-death-toll-jumps-64-likely-rise-2024-02-04/
64 people dead in the wildfire in Chile so far.

[bing101]

https://apnews.com/video/wildfires-christchurch-new-zealand-0fc1040e15e94cad8c06c5be7704aee5
Here is a wildfire in New Zealand.

[bing101]

https://www.kxxv.com/wildfires-in-texas-prompt-evacuations-disaster-declaration


https://www.kltv.com/2024/02/26/crews-working-contain-multiple-wildfires-panhandle/


A wildfire is reported in the Texas Panhandle area.

[bing101]

https://apnews.com/article/texas-panhandle-fire-evacuations-cbbb6a279bef1bd020722ed48927114a

A wildfire scorching the Texas Panhandle has grown to the largest in state history

[triplemultiplex]

I guess this is the new normal.  Every year, a couple small towns will get torched by wildfires.

[kphoger]

I guess this is the new normal.  Every year, a couple small towns will get torched by wildfires.

... but on the other hand ...

[bing101]

I guess this is the new normal.  Every year, a couple small towns will get torched by wildfires.

Yes and oddly enough these fires go beyond places where we traditionally think wildfires take place. Yes we usually think of parts of Australia and California getting hit by wildfires but they are hitting places usually not known for wildfires like parts of Canada, parts of Hawaii like what happened in 2023.

[Rothman]

I guess this is the new normal.  Every year, a couple small towns will get torched by wildfires.

... but on the other hand ...

So...fewer yet bigger fires?

[kphoger]

So...fewer yet bigger fires?

The downturn a century ago was due, at least in part, to a zealous fire containment policy adopted in this country.  It's argued that such a policy has only served to increase the fodder for current wildfires, and that we'd have been better off simply controlling the burns instead of putting them out altogether.

So, the current uptick in wildfires needs some context in order to interpret it meaningfully.  Location matters, size matters (snicker), cause matters, etc, etc.

[Rothman]

So...fewer yet bigger fires?

The downturn a century ago was due, at least in part, to a zealous fire containment policy adopted in this country.  It's argued that such a policy has only served to increase the fodder for current wildfires, and that we'd have been better off simply controlling the burns instead of putting them out altogether.

So, the current uptick in wildfires needs some context in order to interpret it meaningfully.  Location matters, size matters (snicker), cause matters, etc, etc.

I don't know.  Yes, full containment has had its effects, but the uptick in the 21st Century looks to be a different phenomenon.  Therefore, I don't think it can be dismissed as "Well, we aren't seeing the big burns from the earlier 20th Century, so nothing to worry about."

[kphoger]

I don't know.  Yes, full containment has had its effects, but the uptick in the 21st Century looks to be a different phenomenon.  Therefore, I don't think it can be dismissed as "Well, we aren't seeing the big burns from the earlier 20th Century, so nothing to worry about."

I'm not saying it can be dismissed, not at all.  I'm just saying it's complicated.

[bing101]

https://apnews.com/article/wildfires-texas-smokehouse-xcel-energy-22540df0a0c1d2c42a7fe0284858845a

Xcel Energy says its facilities appeared to have role in igniting largest wildfire in Texas history

[bing101]

https://apnews.com/article/lahaina-fire-hawaii-report-e07c65633a377135e9163a6ec6aebdb3

Communications breakdown left authorities in the dark and residents without alerts amid Maui fire

[bing101]

https://www.gmanetwork.com/news/topstories/regions/902682/grass-fire-razes-24-hectares-of-grassland-in-bacolod-city/story/

There are parts of the Philippines facing wildfires. Note this country is not known to face wildfires like areas in the Mediterranean climate have to deal with yearly.

https://www.rappler.com/nation/luzon/cordillera-faces-crisis-alarming-spike-wildfires/