Expert: Why California wildfires are so deadly

World
Europe

04:53

‍The death toll from the devastating wildfires in California has risen to 44, while over 200 are still missing. A trio of blazes is consuming the state from both ends. Gusty winds are being blamed for sparking two of those fires. Meanwhile, authorities caution that the risk of even more fires breaking out is high.

A firefighting helicopter drops water on a hillside behind homes under threat from the Peak Fire, November 12, 2018, in Simi Valley, California. /VCG Photo

Jeffrey Ball, a scholar-in-residence at Stanford University, cites three reasons why the forest fires in California are so deadly and hard to contain.

First, he noted that more people in California are moving to places where nobody has lived before. The second reason is related to climate change. Since the world is becoming warmer and drier, forests are burning easily. Another consideration is how the US has dealt with fires. For decades, the US has focused more on the policy related to fire suppression, which could fuel greater and more intense fires.

Even though US President Donald Trump blamed the fires on the mismanagement of forests in California, the state's officials think differently.

Fire crews from throughout California and several other states are working around the clock to get the worst wildfires in the state's history under control. Ball emphasized that this hasn't only been happening since the latest fire, but has been going on for several months.

A power line catches fire as the Woolsey fire burns on both sides of Pacific Coast Highway (Highway 1) in Malibu, California, as night falls, November 9, 2018. /VCG Photo

Ball thinks that Trump is at odds with state officials due to two reasons. On the one hand, Trump has accused California of doing things with its water supply that are depriving firefighters of adequate water to fight fires. However, California said that has not been the case. On the other, their contention may be related to the long-running political battle in California.

But as for the next steps after the fire, it's difficult to say. Houses were burned to the ground, and survivors say their families had no warning and managed to escape with just minutes to spare.

Ball believes that many difficulties remain. First of all, communities that are burned down ought to be rebuilt. “That's a very politically charged question,” he said.

But the more difficult question is “whether they should be rebuilt?”

As large economic decisions are involved, the debate is sure to continue.