Fires in California have reached unprecedented proportions in history: even a new term was needed

In August, researchers warned that the word Gigafire would have to be added to the lexicon to describe the California wildfires. Now this word has become part of history. Writes about it Gizmodo.

Photo: Shutterstock

On Monday, October 5, the August Complex in Northern California exceeded 1 million acres (404 hectares), the threshold for a giant fire. It is the first giant fire in modern California history, more than doubling the total area burned in the previous record-breaking fire.

The August Complex is a series of fires that would be one for the record books on their own. But the fires, which started from lightning in mid-August, merged into one monstrous fire, the area of ​​which is larger than the size of the state of Rhode Island. The fire is only 54% contained and is in rugged, remote mountains in seven counties. Conditions are favorable for it to continue burning, with Cal Fire noting that Monday "temperatures will be 10 to 15 degrees Fahrenheit (6 to 8 Celsius) above normal and relative humidity values ​​will drop to lows."

August Complex has many records. It is more than double the size of Mendocino Complex. The fire, which started in 2018, was the largest wildfire ever recorded in California before the August Complex, which became the Gigafire (giant fire).

Damn, driving through hell. thank you #firefighters for your hard work. ?. Stay safe!
.
.
.#california #fire #firefighter #wildfire #glassfire #Santa Rosa #wildcalifornia pic.twitter.com/ypxdaKfYFq

- The2OC (@ The2OC) September 30, 2020

Gigafire is a term scientists use to describe large fires burning more than 1 million acres. There was Gigafire in Australia earlier this year. Although there have been similar fires in the United States, this is the first in more than a decade. The most recent wildfire that burned more than 1 million acres of land, listed by the National Interagency Fire Center as a "historically significant" fire, was Alaska's Taylor Complex in 2004.

On the subject: Furry rescue squad: Oregon uses goats to prevent wildfires

However, these types of explosive, uncontrolled fires are likely to become more common as the planet heats up. Analysis by Climate Central found that major wildfires are three times more common in the West since the 1970s, while the bushfire season lasts more than three months. This is at only 1,8 degrees Fahrenheit (1 degree Celsius) warming.

#wildfires in Northern #California have prompted #evacuation orders for 80,000 people, as 8,500 structures are under threat across the region.#Firefighters are now working to defend the 177,000 residents of Santa Rosa, Calif., from the flames. pic.twitter.com/XzHrfARCpt

- Jeremy Song (@ tezuma75) September 29, 2020

The weather is expected to become hotter and drier in the future, creating conditions for forest fires. At the same time, decades of rapid population growth on the border of wilderness and cities have only worsened the situation, increasing the risk to human life and their property.

This trend is especially acute in California. According to the state agency Cal Fire, 17 of the 20 largest fires have occurred since 2000. A record four out of five, as well as 20 smaller devastating fires, raged in 2020. As the Santa Ana and Diablo wind season is still ongoing, the possibility of new dangerous fires igniting or the spread of current fires is a very real threat.

Read also on ForumDaily:

'Nobody buys wine with hints of smoke': California wineries suffer damage due to fires

California to ban sales of new gasoline-powered cars

A rare occurrence: in California, two powerful fire tornadoes were recorded at once

Furry rescue squad: Oregon uses goats to prevent wildfires

Do you want more important and interesting news about life in the USA and immigration to America? — support us donate! Also subscribe to our page Facebook. Select the “Priority in display” option and read us first. Also, don't forget to subscribe to our РєР ° РЅР ° Р »РІ Telegram  and Instagram- there is a lot of interesting things there. And join thousands of readers ForumDaily New York — there you will find a lot of interesting and positive information about life in the metropolis.