California is experiencing some of the worst wildfires in the state’s history. There are many wildfires still active in the state, threatening structures and lives. The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection says that the fire season is expected to last longer than ever this year and every following year.

“While wildfires are a natural part of California’s landscape, the fire season in California and across the West is starting earlier and ending later each year. Climate change is considered a key driver of this trend. Warmer spring and summer temperatures, reduces snowpack and earlier spring snowmelt create longer and more intense dry seasons that increase moisture stress on vegetation and make forests more susceptible to wildfire,” says the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection.

The fires are still burning, but according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, the biggest of the wildfires, the Kincade Fire, is about 80% contained and should have been completely put out by Thursday, Nov. 7. However, just as the biggest of the fires is being contained, new smaller fires are starting. On Nov. 3, a fire that is being call the Ranch Fire started burning in Tehama county. According to Cal Fire’s twitter account, the fire has spread across 600 acres and is 15% contained as of the morning of Monday, Nov. 4.

The ongoing fires pose a threat to the citizens of California. The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection estimates that in the 2019 fire season alone, 198,392 acres of land burned, 730 structures were damaged or destroyed and there were three fatalities. This estimate does not include those injured because of the fires or the number of people who were forced to relocate during the time of the fires.

If you’re looking for ways to help those impacted by the 2019 California wildfires, the California Fire Foundation is accepting donations. Their mission, according to their website, is to “administer a variety of programs that provide assistance to the victims, firefighters and communities that are affected by natural disaster. These programs support various needs throughout the aftermath of a natural disaster, ranging from immediate assistance to long-term recovery.” The people effected by these fires benefit greatly from these programs.

Article by Marissa Mayfield