With the incredible technology we have today, it’s a little bit of a shock that 105 wildfires are able to sweep across the country at such an alarming rate. But with the West Coast seeing the historic drought that it is, perhaps it is as much expected as it is a bit of a shock.
While the fires are mainly concentrated on the West Coast, there are still several ravaging the Southeast, and everywhere in between. A live, interactive map —developed by Esri, a California-based provider of Geographic Information System (GIS) mapping software, in collaboration with the US Forest Service — of all these fires is available below. It all makes for further evidence that wildfires (and the circumstances that are feeding the flames) have become a serious and immediate problem.
According to Teton Gravity Research, the fires have prompted several evacuations. This week, three firefighters in Washington lost their lives fighting regional wildfires. Despite the arduous labor accompanying very trying conditions, death is not as common as one would think. In fact, it is estimated that 1,000 firefighters have lost their lives in the field in the past 100 years. To put that into perspective, the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial Fund states that 1,466 officers have died in the line of duty in the past 10 years.
Firemen are generally equipped to attack fires from all angles, including groundwork and aerial drops. So, why are today’s wildfires proving to be such untamable problems? National Geographic explains: “climate change, untamed vegetation, and development have created a new wildfire landscape.” In other words, fires are becoming the “new norm.”
Even as these wildfires rage out of human control, fire departments continue work overtime in their massive efforts to put a damper on the situation. We commend the over 29,000 firefighters currently battling the countrywide wildfires; and our hearts go out to 3 victims and their families.
For now, we can only hope that the approaching El Niño will ease a bit of the pressure. Until then, keep up to date on the fires and their containment with this live, interactive map.
