The Ferguson Fire
In the month of July, a devastating fire broke out in the Yosemite Valley that attained mammoth proportions. The fire broke out in the Ferguson Ridge Road area – hence the name Ferguson Fire. Nearly 100,000 acres were burned down and ten buildings destroyed, claiming the lives of two and injuring several others. Containment of the fire required tremendous effort and many resources – aircrafts were used to deploy fire bombs to burn off vegetation and protect unaffected areas from the expanding blaze. Engines, water tenders, helicopters, dozers and thousands of firefighters were in the line of fire, literally, while more than 4000 people were evacuated quickly from the premises. More than $100 million have been spent on recovery measures. While the Ferguson Fire is now 100% contained, a major part of the area remains smoky with unhealthy conditions and isolated pockets still in flames.
For the first time in thirty years, Yosemite Valley had to be closed – a tough decision for the authorities to take during peak season (July and August are two of the busiest months in the year for the park). Many local merchants in areas such as Mariposa, Wawona, El Portal, Groveland and Oakhurst are even considering closing down business due to the frequency of such prolonged interruptions to commerce (the Detwiler fire that broke out between July and August in 2017 consumed more than 80000 acres of land).
Wildfires in California in 2018
More than 5000 fires have broken out so far in California alone this year, scorching a million acres of land. Wildfire recovery measures for 2018 in the USA is all set to match or even surpass expenditure in 2017 – more than $10 billion. This is to say nothing of the stressful and traumatic conditions under which tens of thousands of firefighters were engaged actively in the line of fire as they curbed the outbreak. More firefighters die by suicide than on duty. It is a profession with the highest divorce and heart attack rates in the USA, not to mention other occupational hazards such as substance abuse and domestic violence.
Causes
While the cause for a fire as widespread as the Ferguson Fire still remains unknown, a number of factors can be generally attributed to the outbreak of any wildfire:
- Extreme heat during extended periods of time that provides a very conducive medium for fire to break out and spread.
- Dry weather that turns forest and vegetation into flammable fuel.
- Winds strong enough to break power lines.
- Global warming leading to higher temperatures and fewer showers
- Human intervention such as a discarded cigarette, campfire, fireworks, a car accident or anything that can create a spark.
Prevention
Although natural phenomena play a big part, human intervention more often than not causes the outbreak of disasters. There are a number of preventive measures you can take to ensure the safety of your family, property and possessions.
- Always keep emergency numbers such as 911 or the number of your local fire department handy. //Emergency Notification Apps
- Be doubly careful while using fire for domestic purposes. Make sure to turn it off completely with water and stir the ashes until cold.
- Use lanterns, stoves and heaters very carefully, especially when outdoors. Fill such appliances with fuel only when they are cool. Do no spill flammable liquids.
- Flammable items such as cigarettes and matches must be disposed of properly and safely.
- Always keep a shovel, water, and fire retardant handy, especially when you plan on a bonfire.
- Use safe clothing made of flame resistant material.
- Check with your local authorities what other measures you can take specific to the area
About Yosemite National Park
Yosemite National Park, located in California’s Sierra Nevada Mountains, is a melting pot of nature, wildlife and breathtaking vistas. This nature lover’s paradise receives more than 4 million visitors every year and has become one of the country’s major tourist destinations. The park is home to a variety of attractions including magnificent sequoia trees that are more than 3000 years old, exotic species such as Ross’s sedge, Lodge pole Pine and Dwarf bilberry, the Yosemite falls – the highest waterfall in North America- and awe inspiring hiking trails. A wide range of outdoor activities such as camping, trekking, fishing, horseback riding, rafting, and rock climbing are on offer here. Other attractions include El Capitan and Half Dome Rock. Thanks to the large number of visitors every year, the park supports various commercial establishments such as shops, museums, breweries, restaurants, catering and other services.