California Wildfires Ruining Residential Areas

California's been suffering massive fires throughout September. Over 3.4 million acres of land burned already, and at least 25 people died. Six of the state history's top 20 fires occurred this year, likely due to global warming.

California wildfires pose imminent harm to occupants and property. They also represent long-term damage to people's life and well-being. Residents face a hostile environment. Their neighbourhoods are now lines of burned homes and low air quality.

Urbanization of Wildfires

In the recent past, the forests became arider, prolonging the fire seasons. In combination with powerful winds and long periods of drought, the conditions are only getting worse.

Northern California consists of wildland-urban regions where residential spaces stand near undeveloped forests. As a result of these areas' closeness, infrastructure and homes are among the first things to burn.

The smoke no longer consists only of organic matter. Because of urbanization, it's now packed with synthetic chemicals, plastics, and paint particles. The urban wildfires are an even more significant health threat today.

Public Health Concern

The mix of ash and smoke from fires contains small specks of matter that burned, from trees to tires.

The officials say that the issue of particle pollution is the most significant health-threatening result of fires. It can damage the respiratory system or enter the bloodstream and harm the heart.

The effects of immediate exposure to the smoke vary.

It generates an allergy attack-like reaction among the generally healthy population. Those with asthma or compromised immune systems could face more medical complications.

California's air quality struggles aren't new. Still, the issues are further exacerbated this year. The more widespread severe fires, hotter and drier climate, and the population's lack of caution are adding to the issue.

The long-term consequences are still unclear. No systemic research explaining the effect on residents' health took place thus far. Only two larger-scale studies stand out to show the severity of the issues.

Researchers sent out a survey of fire survivors last year. It showed that some people suffered from respiratory issues even months after inhaling wildfire smoke.

Another study examined the impact of particle pollution on children's immunities. It showed impairment of immune function, but it's inconclusive about long-term effects.

There's a crying need to research and treat the consequences in children and adults.

Home Safety

Most homes in affected neighborhoods suffered destruction after wildfires. Still, several families saw their houses survive deadly Californian natural disasters.

As a result, there's an increased focus on post-fire property records. More Californians are starting to worry whether their home will burn down next, and if not, what will protect it.

A particularly prominent analysis suggests that the response could be straightforward. The chances of a home's survival depend on its age and the roof material. A building code enacted in 2008 started requiring fire-resistant roofs and siding on Californian houses.

As experts explain, susceptibility to environmental issues is a threat to roofs in any location. The only help lies in high-quality, and this regulation ensured it in some buildings.

However, the situation is still dire. Last year, the number of surviving homes built after 2008 was around 51% of all affected. That figure is still far from encouraging.

Plus, the fires leave massive scars on the land surrounding the residential areas. Sometimes, they're impossible to rehabilitate. Combined with the extended effects on air quality, entire regions are becoming uninhabitable.

The Bottom Line

It might be years before scientists understand how wildfire threats are evolving. Their influence on California residents is evident, but still not measured.

Between the growing threat of climate change and the US refusal to embrace the Green New Deal, a solution is much-needed.

Doctors, legislators, and construction workers will all have to develop more advanced techniques to help in the short term, too. Combating wildfires and their long-term consequences is a necessary goal to pursue into the next year.