The Park Fire, a wildfire burning more than 399,000 acres in Northern California, is quickly becoming the fourth-largest blaze in the state’s history and has prompted evacuations in four counties.
The blaze, which authorities say was started by arson, has grown over the past week as the Western U.S. faces the possibility of another intense wildfire season. Heavy rains over the past few years have led to strong vegetation growth, combined with high temperatures this summer, could lead to major wildfires in the coming months.
All of these conditions contributed to the growth of the Park Fire, which has already 500 Structuresand place At least 8,000 people Evacuation orders have been issued. The fire has become so large that Visible from space And now it covers a much larger area. More than the entire city of Los Angeles.
The Park Fire follows a number of devastating fires that have ravaged the U.S. in recent years, including: Hawaii in 2023, California in 2021and Montana in 2017It’s the latest disaster to highlight how devastating fires can affect communities across the U.S. and the urgent need for better policies to help them weather potential evacuations.
In 2023, 2.5 million Americans will be forced to leave their homes temporarily or permanently due to natural disasters. According to the U.S. Census Bureau: And officials currently estimate that at least Over 500,000 people People who have been forced to evacuate so far this year. Vulnerable groups There are populations that are more likely to be forced to move as a result of these phenomena, including low-income households, people over 65, and Black and Hispanic Americans.
Park fire and increasing Natural disasters, Some of them are linked to climate change, highlighting the urgent need for more federal support for recovery and how these incidents will exacerbate an existing housing crisis.
Evacuation System
People forced to evacuate during the Park Fire and similar fires are forced to stay with friends or family, in hotels, or in shelters set up by the affected county. Evacuations are typically led by the affected county or city, which is responsible for notifying residents when the situation becomes emergency.
Evacuation orders can be issued at any time, including overnight. Law enforcement officials are typically in charge of notifying residents and alerting neighbors and may use cars and sirens. They also provide updates on television, radio, and social media. Many counties have text-based emergency alert systems where residents can sign up to receive mobile updates about the disaster.
People who live in high-risk areas are often urged to have an evacuation plan prepared, which includes an emergency bag with essentials like water and flashlights, charged devices, and fuel in the vehicle. People who are able to leave their vehicles on their own are encouraged to do so as quickly as possible if an evacuation is ordered and to leave the fire-affected areas as shown on county maps.
Counties can also designate meeting places for people to gather if they can’t evacuate on their own or if roads are closed. Officials then coordinate emergency routes and transportation to shelters that people can use.
Depending on how long it takes to put out the fires and respond to them, evacuees could be left in limbo for days or even weeks, without knowing the status of their homes. Stress and devastating feelings Many people are waiting to hear whether their homes survived the disaster.
California’s Park Fire is producing its own smoke thundercloud
Once the immediate danger has passed and the fires have been contained, officials will determine whether it’s safe for people to return, said Tom Koba, a geography professor at the University of Utah who has studied wildfire evacuation systems. Evacuations include inspecting the area for toxins left by the fire and other hazards, such as downed power lines or propane gas tanks.
People may be allowed to return to the site to assess possible damage if it is deemed safe, but may only be allowed to drive back, viewing their homes from their cars, due to the risk of health hazards from lingering smoke and debris.
People whose homes have been destroyed and permanently displaced by disasters face a much longer and much more complicated road to rebuilding and relocating.
Insurance could help offset some of these costs, but some former Maui evacuees say such funds are not available. Temporarily cover rent.
In certain areas where there is a high risk of wildfires, Homeowners insurance may not cover wildfires These disasters can be very costly for businesses, and the onus of rebuilding falls on the owners. In addition to construction, families also face the cost of securing alternative housing while they wait out a process that can take months or years.
Disasters highlight gaps in aid and housing
Disasters like the Park Fire highlight current gaps in federal aid for recovery and an already challenging housing shortage.
The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) is the central distribution agency for rebuilding grant assistance that people can apply for, but these programs can have strict requirements. Includes specific thresholds of damage — Not everyone can afford it. Even those who qualify for insurance may not be able to get all of this help, and the assistance provided is often insufficient to cover the full cost of rebuilding. According to a 2020 report from the Government Accountability Office:Between 2010 and 2019, the average amount of assistance an individual received from FEMA was $3,522.
States like California It will fill some of the gap by offering perks like free debris removal services to homeowners. Agencies like the U.S. Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development are also helping. There are also loan programs for rebuilding.But overall, the assistance needed is greater than the assistance available, potentially leaving those who have lost their homes economically vulnerable.
“The assistance Americans receive after disasters is not only inadequate, but responses are complicated and slow to arrive,” wrote Samantha Montano, a professor of emergency management at the Massachusetts Maritime Academy. The New York Times“From the time it takes to complete recovery (measured in years instead of months) to the labyrinth of policies, regulations, false promises and litigation, we are being forced into a system that rewards surviving disasters so cruel that it is creating a second disaster.”
Montano argues the solution is for FEMA to bolster resources, which faces a funding shortfall in 2023, and for the state to develop a better recovery plan that includes increased funding and dedicated management. Many of these challenges were on display in the response to the Lahaina wildfire on Maui, where families displaced by the blaze were still living in temporary housing. Six months after the disaster.
Another issue these disasters bring to attention is the housing problem people in the affected areas are already facing. The 2018 Paradise, California fire For example, approximately 14,000 homes were destroyed, exacerbating the housing shortage in the region. Plumas CountyNew Jersey, one of four counties affected by the Park Fire, also faces a similar shortage of affordable housing for low-income families — a gap that could widen if the Park Fire causes further damage.
