California has a long history of wildfires, exacerbated by low humidity, rising temperatures, and excess brush. On November 6, 2024, the Mountain Fire broke out in the city of Camarillo in Ventura County. As of this writing, it is completely contained. 

Although the source of the blaze is still unknown, it was clear that environmental factors played a role in its growth. Just the day before the fire broke out, the National Weather Service issued a rare weather advisory, warning that extremely dry and windy conditions could lead to immense fire growth. Flames spread rapidly and left residents little time to evacuate their homes. As a result, Governor Gavin Newsom proclaimed a state of emergency on November 7. 

In the last decade, severe wildfires have become increasingly common. The most devastating fire in California’s history, the Camp Fire, occurred in 2018 in the city of Paradise. It killed 85 people and burned over 150,000 acres according to Cal Fire. Like the Mountain Fire and many others, the Camp Fire was preceded by weather that posed an extreme fire risk. 

Why is this a constant threat? Some say it has to do with climate change. Temperatures have increased steadily over the past decade, with the average global temperature consistently breaking records. According to the University of Utah, fire severity has increased 30% between the 1980s and the 2010s. Due to the increased risks of damages, home insurance companies have either considered raising or flat-out raised their rates, making it even harder for homeowners to afford insurance. 

However, we as regular citizens have some power in our hands to influence the effect of climate change. By being engaged in our community and staying informed, we can play our part in countering climate change and recurring wildfires.