Every California summer is dampened by fire blazing through the southern and eastern side of the state. This year, it’s gonna be bad.
A “Super El Niño” is predicted to form in the eastern Pacific this upcoming summer. A super El Niño is an event in which sea surface temperatures rise by more than 4.5 degrees Fahrenheit. If the prediction is correct and we get a Super El Niño on our Pacific coast, humidity will rise by around 20 degrees. Extreme heat waves will occur throughout the summer.
In Northern California specifically, there has historically been a 60-70 percent increase in heat waves. El Niño events occur every 2-7 years, but super El Niño events are very rare. Only 5 have occurred since the 1950’s.
California is trying to keep citizens safe through the new and controversial “zone zero” proposal that was instituted in December. The proposal states that residents must create a 1-foot safety zone if their home is listed as “at-risk housing,” in which nothing “combustible” is allowed. It also outlines a 5-foot ember-resistant zone around the same at-risk housing.
This could be something beneficial for California residents. Still, some people who are trying to be in compliance with the new regulations have been quoted more than 10,000 dollars to follow all the new rules. leading to significant pushback on the proposal.
The Super El Niño will also affect marine life. Most wildlife will attempt to migrate north and/or into deeper waters. This disrupts commercial fishing. Marine life that can’t or doesn’t migrate will see declines in population and health.
How can you help prevent forest fires? Fires start regularly from cars. Weather its from a balding tire that finally falls apart, or a chain dragging off a trail, creating sparks. It’s very important to be very mindful of where you’re driving this summer.
There were almost 8,000 different forest fires and more than half a million acres burned last year in California. It seems like this year will be worse. Between overall global warming that has quintupled the amount of forest fires in the past 50 years and the super El Niño brewing in the eastern Pacific, be ready for a scorched summer.
