Wildfires in North America
By Tina Aghdam
News Editor
Wildfires that started in the northern region of New Mexico on April 6th have seen a recent expansion throughout the regions of Arizona and Nebraska. The existing Hermits Peak Fire has merged with the Calf Canyon, which only started on April 19th, spreading over 56,478 acres. The area has seen little rainfall, and the resulting dry conditions and strong winds may have been factors leading to such rapid development, likely due to climate change.
Coconico County, in Arizona, has declared a state of emergency. Evacuation orders for the Tunnel Fire forced many outside their homes, and many are going back to find their property destroyed by the flames. Among the destroyed infrastructures was the Sunset Crater Volcano National Monument, an amusement park in Arizona State.
900 houses are at risk of destruction from the Calf Canyon Fire alone. 3400 houses in New Mexico were ordered an immediate compulsory evacuation, and 3000 families were recommended to leave their homes as well.
In order to help ease the situation, aircrafts have been employed to carry water from surrounding lakes to the affected regions.
Growing concerns have been raised about the long term effects of smoke on overall air quality. Many fear that fires will not only become more frequent, but will also increase in intensity as global warming progressed and humidity levels continue to drop. Forest fires also burn down essential flora that provide oxygen in the atmosphere and partly contribute to cleaner water supplies.