Script:
Amanda: Hi, my name is Amanda and this is my partner Chelsea.
Chelsea: The three largest fires in California history started between 9 and 11 p.m. Sunday night October 22nd, ripping into neighborhoods while many residents nearby had just started to go to bed. The fires are known as the Tubbs fire, Atlas fire and Redwood/Potter fire have burnt in total 75,000 acres near Sonoma, Napa, Solano, and Mendocino Counties. But, this isn’t the first wildfire the Western United States has experienced this year. Oregon, Idaho, and Montana have been faced with tragic wildfires too. All beginning around October 8th. Amanda will share with us background on wildfires.
Amanda: Thank you, Chelsea. On average, more than 100,000 wildfires, clear 4 million to 5 million acres of land in the U.S. every year. In recent years, wildfires have burned up to 9 million acres of land. A wildfire moves at speeds of up to 14 miles an hour, consuming everything like trees, homes and even humans in its path. While wildfires can occur at any time throughout the year, the chance of them happening is always higher during periods of little or no rainfall, which makes vegetation burn more easily. It is unclear what exactly started the California wildfires but this has been an unusually hot summer for California.
Chelsea: These raging wildfires in Northern California have led to at least 33 deaths and the destruction of about 5,700 structures, including homes and businesses. The governor has declared a state of emergency near the wildfires. The impact on this event has drawn lots of attention to everyone in the United States.
Amanda: While, the wildfires continue to destroy businesses the financial impact on California has brought worries. Dr. Joel N. Myers, founder, president and chairman of AccuWeather said, “We estimate the California wildfires will profoundly affect the economy of California. The cost to contain and fight the fire and deal with the aftermath will be in the billions. And, the loss of tax revenue from businesses no longer around, including the vineyards; the workers who have lost their jobs and can no longer pay taxes, as well as other impacts, will be quite costly. This will create a hole in the California budget, which may necessitate an increase in taxes. If California has to borrow more this might negatively impact its bond ratings and it will have to pay higher interest rates on all borrowings, which can cost upwards of 10’s of billions of dollars. At this time, we estimate the economic impact of the fires is already approaching $70 billion dollars. Based on our forecast the total costs from this disaster on the economy would exceed $85 billion and, if the fires are not contained in the next couple of weeks, the total economic impact could even reach $100 billion.” Farmers, business owners, and other local employees will be affected by this. Some have lost their jobs and stores.
Chelsea: While the financial impact is a concern for those in California so is the other negative effects the wildfires will cause. Wildfires can cause death or injury to people and animals. Species and habitat can become destroyed and need to be restored. Also, the health of animals and people is impacted from the large amounts of smoke in the air that can reach out for miles. Another health issue is the water nearby can become contaminated causing a lack of good water quality for citizens. Wildfires can damage or destroy structures making tourism and recreation unappealing to the community and creates a lack of travel to the area impacted. Wildfires also can damage watersheds leaving areas prone to flooding and mudslides for many years. Services including transportation, gas, power, and communications can be lost. Which affects access to fire suppression which is very pricey as well.
Amanda: There are many individuals affected by the wildfires whether it was losing their home and all their belongings or their businesses being destroyed. For example, Derek Peterson, CEO of Terra Tech which sells marijuana said that the farmers will invest up to 5 million dollars on their facilities and crops and there is no insurance for their crops or no economic relief. This is a huge risk for all marijuana growers.
Chelsea: Another large business that has been affected by the wildfires is the vineyards. Over 12 vineyards have been damaged and 5 have been completely destroyed. This number is supposed to increase as the wildfires grow bigger. There have been thousands of jobs lost because the vineyards have been destroyed and everyone has to flee leaving them without a job. Along with people fleeing their workplace they also have to leave their homes and all their belongings. For example, Nathalie and Michael Internicola had 15 minutes to grab all they could which was not much, phones, clothes, and their passports. They said they are lucky to be alive but don’t know where and how they are going to rebuild their lives.
Amanda: While there are many negatives there are very few positives from the outcome of these fires. These fires have brought the community of California together. As well as created a need for medicine which has boosted business for families who practice medicine.
Chelsea: President trump has shown us how people are working together against these wildfires. The President addressed the wildfires from the White House on Tuesday and added that he's been in contact with California Gov. Jerry Brown.
"I spoke with Gov. Brown last night to know that the federal government will stand with people of California and be there with you in this time of terrible tragedy and need.” How is the government helping those impacted by the California wildfires? Well, FEMA (Federal emergency management agency) in the Department of homeland and security has approved a grant $940,000 to survivors in California. Also, more than $30 million dollars in disaster recovery grants and loans. The U.S. small business administration has approved $19.2 million dollars in loans for local businesses in California and nearly $7.5 million dollars in home repair and replacement costs. While, Jerry Brown then said, "This is truly one of the greatest tragedies California has ever faced, the devastation is just unbelievable. It is a horror that no one could have imagined." The federal and state governments are currently working together to try and evacuate and help the communities in Northern California.
Amanda: Knowing that 90% of wildfires are caused by humans I think people in California especially should be more careful knowing that it is dry and an unusually hot summer to prevent these wildfires.
Chelsea: I definitely agree with Amanda, if we could prevent wildfires, risking other people’s lives, and destroying land we should take the procedures to assure no more wildfires occur.