Gabriela Restituyo
The west coast is famous for its wildfires that last days to months. Right now, we are in the wildfire season as it begins in June and ends in September, typically. This year however, has been one of the more devastating years with an expected record of the hottest summer and a response to more wildfires than 2019.

Wildfires are a very interesting element of nature. Though they can cause destruction to humans, they can be beneficial to nature and its ecosystems. They are fueled by any flammable material and can thus burn anything that is dead or that can harm an ecosystem.

As social media progresses, more light is shed onto this typically natural disaster (among other issues). With this, ignorant citizens, I myself being one of them, discover the disaster that wildfires leave behind and just how common they are in states other than California. Oregon is currently a state undergoing evacuation and containment protocols. I wouldn’t be surprised however, if more states that do not have a wildfire season see more as with climate change, they are expected to rise.

This year, without taking into consideration the increasing heat and climate change, it is expected that these fires will really impact the community. We are going through a pandemic where many have lost their jobs or have found their health to be less than the best. As the fires rage on in Oregon now, people lose their homes and their belongings, making them homeless, and some without a way to recover their property or homes due to not having a job. It is difficult not to bring up the current pandemic in reporting anything because it does affect everything that is happening. In addition, with ashy skies and barely breathable air, those sick with the virus will have a hard time recovering.

Firefighters work hard to contain the fires in any way they can, even fighting fire with fire. But no matter how hard they work, those that have fallen victim to the fires will now also fall victim to the effects of the pandemic.