Temperatures of up to 47 degrees Celsius were recorded Friday in California in the American West. The heat wave comes on the July 4 holiday weekend, when millions of Americans celebrate the United States Declaration of Independence by setting off fireworks that can create wildfires in dry conditions as firefighters battle several blazes in the region.
A wildfire broke out in the town of Mariposa, near Yosemite National Park, on Thursday night. It has burned more than 1,000 acres and was 15% contained as of Friday afternoon, according to firefighters. In the north of the state, firefighters managed to bring a violent blaze that had forced 10,000 people to evacuate the area in Oroville under control by 55%. This fire burned nearly 3,500 acres of grasslands and forest. This blaze broke out just a few dozen kilometers from Paradise, a town hit in 2018 by the deadliest wildfire in the history of this American state with 85 deaths. On site, nearly 1,400 firefighters are battling the flames, helped by planes and helicopters. “The brush is dry, and as you can see, any gust of wind will push the fire very quickly,” the firefighters warned.
California Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a state of emergency so he could mobilize more resources. “We are using every tool available to fight this fire and will continue to work closely with our local and federal partners to support impacted communities,” the governor said. “As we enter the most challenging months of the wildfire season, the state is better prepared than ever to protect at-risk communities with new tools, new technologies and new resources,” he said.
Despite having enjoyed very rainy winters in the last two years, the American West has been suffering from drought for about twenty years. And the summer of 2024 is already shaping up to be very hot and dry. However, the recent excess precipitation has favored vegetation, which, once dried out, turns into fuel for the flames.
Added to this context is a very special week in the United States, that of the national holiday of July 4, traditionally celebrated by Americans with their own fireworks, a nightmare for firefighters. “The last thing we want is for someone who bought fireworks next door to go do something stupid. Don’t be stupid,” urged the sheriff of Oroville.
The heatwave will continue
The heatwave is expected to continue in the coming days, even though weather services say it has peaked. “Dozens of records are possible, showing how rare such a heatwave is in early July,” the NWS said, noting that the duration of the heatwave, which could extend into next week, is “worrisome.”
Last year was the hottest on record globally, and according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), 2024 has a 50% chance of breaking that record.
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