Wildfires: California ‘Campfire’ 2018

Question 1

Describe the spatial and temporal setting of the wildfire.

Answer 1

Northern California, Butte county Paradise City, 8-25th November 2018

Question 2

Outline the causes of the wildfire

Answer 2

Sparking power transmission line.

Question 3

Why was the wildfire so deadly?

Answer 3

Climate (drought for past six years);
high Santa Ana winds (dry/spread)
Vegetation: grass sprouted after late spring rainfall; high density as lack of recent wildfires; drier conditions over past 7 months > dry fuel
Human factors: urban-wildfire interface; poor urban design (cul-de-sacs/few connecting roads so difficult to evacuate); voluntary sign up to ‘Code Red’ which distributes evacuation orders.

Question 4

Assess the perception of the wildfire.

Answer 4

Prior to the wildfire: voluntary living in a fire risk area.

Question 5

Primary impacts of the wildfire

Answer 5

85 deaths 18, 000 buildings destroyed Widespread air pollution

Question 6

Secondary impacts of the wildfire

Answer 6

30, 000 made homeless
Approx $16.5 billion in damage (including homes/businesses and $150 million in fire suppression costs
)Approx. $8.4bn insurance claims for fire damage in California in 2018 - Merced Property and Casualty Company bankrupt.

Question 7

Pre-disaster responses

Answer 7

Code red communicated evacuation orders > most of paradise evacuated by first responders (26, 500 people approx) VS damage to fibre-optic cables meant 3/14 zones didn’t receive evacuation orders; Code Red voluntary (only 30% signed up); poor city design

Question 8

Relief responses

Answer 8

firefighters battle flames > out in 17 days (fire-breaks/water drops etc) VS slow to assemble resources; initial refusal of wind support; 18, 000 homes destroyed. ALSO: California National Guard support and cadaver dogs.

Question 9

Rehabilitation responses

Answer 9

evacuation centres - Red-cross; FEMA provide motel vouchers > provide supplies and mental health support VS overcrowding led to norovirus outbreak. Some refugees flee to neighbouring towns > house prices in local areas up 10%.

Question 10

reconstruction responses

Answer 10

environmental clean up (of city/salvage of destroyed trees/water cleanup); alteration to the fire management system: particularly to harden energy infrastructure against wildfires e.g. bury transmission lines in vulnerable areas