For more than three days, California has been in the grip of a series of fires that are destroying much of its territory. But what is most disturbing is that this situation does not seem to be close to its end. A situation already seen e.g told, Why Fires in America are a problem which is repeated cyclically and with constant effects more devastating.
The toll of victims and displaced persons is still provisional. There is talk of five confirmed deaths and 130 thousand displaced people. There are also many injured and poisoned people.
The question then arises as to why such catastrophic events continue to occur. Certainly one of the causes that favors the fueling of flames is constituted by Santa Ana winds, which together with a strong drought create a lethal mix. But the most radical environmentalists argue that climate change is among the main causes.
Yet it is most likely the same green tendencies that could have been a contributing cause of the spread of the fires. In fact, according to experts, selective deforestation, prevented over the years by environmentalists, could have mitigated the disastrous effects that are occurring.
The type of materials used in that area for the construction of houses also contributes to aggravating this scenario. It is mostly wood, but insulating sponges and foams also help flames take root.
And it is not a question of poor quality of the materials used, but of the type of them which by their nature are not fireproof.
In fact, even the homes of VIPs were not spared from the explosive force of the flames, reducing dream villas to piles of ash and debris. Local media say Sunset Boulevard, one of the most famous areas of Los Angeles, is in ruins.
Among the stars whose homes were affected by the disaster are names such as James Woods and Paris Hilton. The latter, in a long post on Instagram, shared with her followers all her pain for what is happening, inviting the population involved to respect the evacuation orders given by the authorities and to stay safe.
This situation also led to the cancellation of outgoing President Joe Biden’s institutional trip to Italy, during which the current occupant of the White House was supposed to meet the President of the Republic Sergio Mattarella, Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni and Pope Francis.
The newly elected US President Donald Trump also expressed his opinion on the actions of the Governor of California, Gavin Newsom, according to whom “the Governor of California has not done a good job”.
The end still seems far away. We will then have to proceed with the reconstruction of the destroyed houses, with a damage count that is currently still uncertain but which will certainly be very high.
