The smoke from US Wildfires is turning the moon an ethereal, bloody red color. As days go by and more fires rage around the country, more smoke from the fire is turning our skin color to an orange that’s much more visible. So much so that some people are blaming the US government for its inability to stop these massive forest fires. Some are even blaming the media because they have been forcing the American people to take this angle when really it should be the local municipalities burning the wood and calling in the help from local firefighters.
In California, the largest wildfire there is now in Santa Rosa has reportedly burned over thirty thousand acres. One television station in San Francisco reported that the fire was being contained within a mile of the city. That’s not very encouraging. This particular fire is the third largest of this year. Although the numbers vary from time to time, it appears that the inflow of visitors to the famous wine and chocolate regions in Sonoma County has suddenly been cut by so many visitors to the Sonoma area that the forests are so thin that there’s not much to burn.
Other large fires in California have also turned out to be less than spectacular, although they also left a lot of smoke. The Rogue Fire in Yountville, CA burned for six days straight. Then there were the Subway fires in January, which burned in the mountains near Palm Springs. Those two combined burned for over five hundred thousand acres, leaving a trail of smoke all over the urban areas of Lax, California. Both of those were contained before they hit the urban areas.
So what should we do about all this smoke from US Wildfires? Some experts blame Mother Nature, others the weather conditions (Santa Barbara just experienced its hottest summer on record), and still, others blame greedy politicians. But if the problem really is that serious, why aren’t there more fire prevention rules and regulations around the country? Why do the politicians continue to give public officials favor just so they’ll vote against them?
There are many reasons why the public needs to take more responsibility for their own safety. Smoke from Us Wildfires threatens not only property but lives and health. The smoke can irritate and even cause diseases like asthma, chronic coughs, and sore throats. It is very dangerous for people with respiratory problems to breathe it in. In fact, some people who have already suffered from smoke-induced illnesses have died because they didn’t get the treatment they needed, or they were unable to get to a hospital in time.
One problem with smoke from Us Wildfires is that it has the capability to go miles away, affecting people’s health and homes for months on end. It can linger in the air, settled in carpet fibers, clothes, furniture, and bedding. It can find its way back into the heating systems and appliances in your home. It can travel into other peoples’ homes, and they may even inhale some in the smoke. In fact, many studies have shown that some smoke from Us Wildfires settles in the soil and can affect crops and other land surfaces years after the initial combustion.
It is very important that people who have been evacuated due to the wildfire follow all of the evacuation instructions posted by local authorities. It is also important that pets, children, and the elderly remain inside the structure of the home where they are safe. They should be kept away from any burnable objects or materials. If they come in contact with any of these items, the effects could be deadly. As much as possible, pets should be isolated until the wildfire has naturally passed.
In case you are still able to see the wildfire, make sure to stay well clear until it has naturally dissipated. People should try to stay as far away from the forest as possible, to minimize further damage and risk of inhalation. You can also call the fire department for help if it becomes necessary. Remember to contact your insurance company and ask for more information about their Wildfire policy.
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