Paradise: Campfire Wildfire 2018 Flashcards
Cause of the fire:
Deadliest and most destructive wildfire in California’s history.
Caused by an electrical transmission fire from a PG and E line in the mountains.
Social impacts:
- Just under 19,000 homes destroyed
- More than 1,000 families who were displaced were looking for a home 6 months after the disaster
- 85/86 deaths
Economic impacts:
95% of structures destroyed.
Estimated $16.5 billion of damages.
Environmental:
- Increased risks of floods
- Harmful emissions release/ enhanced GHG effect
- Destroyed wildlife and habitats
Responses:
- Emergency shelters
- Buldozers
$470 million from PG and E
Why were the impacts of Paradise so bad:
- Firstly, the perception of hazards from residents they are usual to wildfires and said ‘we don’t shut the school for smoke’. Then high winds and favourable wildfire conditions led to it spreading at 80 football fields per minute.
Spot fires started from sunflower seeds, blocked all evacuation routes which led to roads being gridlocked.
Smoke jumpers were unable to get in to put out the fires due to the ash clouds being so great.
The demographic within paradise is elderly so they were not quick to evacuate.
Everyone got texts to evacuate at the same time.
Droughts created favourable conditions.
Long term responses and the rebuilding of paradise: Guardian
Construction is constant in the Golden states fastest growing town.
Recently installed emergency alerts and plans for miles of new freshly paved roads.
Paradise is emerging from the Ashes
Rebuilding to become one of America’s most prepared towns.
Since fire, Town has built 2,128 homes, all have been built to wildfire prepared home standards.
Problems with paradise emerging from the ashes:
New paradise is leading to gentrification and increasing the cost of living which has led to social segregation.
