California Wildfires: A Hard Look at the Devastation
The devastation caused by the California wildfires, especially in Southern California, should not surprise anyone. As a Northern California resident, I’ve witnessed firsthand the havoc wildfires can wreak. Over the years, my region has endured the King Fire and the Caldor Fire—both immensely destructive. I’ve been fortunate not to lose my home, but these experiences have forever changed how I prepare for and understand wildfires.
Preparedness and Communication Are Key
One of the most critical lessons I’ve learned is the importance of communication during emergencies. As a member of a Neighborhood Radio Watch, we rely on GMRS radios that can transmit up to 50 watts on base stations and 5 watts on handheld units. This setup, supported by a network of repeaters, is made possible by CERA.org, a nonprofit organization. By purchasing a radio and obtaining an FCC GMRS license, anyone can join this network.
During wildfires, traditional communication methods collapse. The power grid fails, there’s no internet, and cellular service becomes unavailable. In these moments, our radios and scanners, which monitor fire and police traffic, become lifelines. Without such tools, people are left in complete darkness about what’s happening around them. In Southern California, many likely faced this terrifying reality, unable to get critical updates or coordinate their evacuations.
Communication can mean the difference between life and death in a wildfire. While news reports might initially cite 15 fatalities, the actual toll often takes months to uncover. Thousands may have lost their lives because they were cut off from vital information.
Self-Reliance in the Face of Wildfires
Many people assume the fire department, police, or elected officials will save them during a wildfire. However, that expectation is misguided. While first responders do everything in their power, their resources are limited. Police might notify residents to evacuate—if they can reach them and if roads remain passable. Firefighters will try to save homes, but only those with defensible space. If homeowners haven’t cleared at least 100 feet of vegetation around their property, their homes may be deemed unsalvageable.
Wildfire preparedness ultimately falls on individual homeowners. As an OES (Office of Emergency Services) volunteer specializing in animal rescue, I’ve undergone extensive training. I’ve learned to analyze fire behavior, identify escape routes, and prepare for sheltering in place or deploying fire blankets during burnovers. Few people, however, take advantage of this critical training. While these classes cost money, the question remains: how much is your life worth?
Challenges of Volunteering During Disasters
As a volunteer, I’m often called upon to help during emergencies, including the current crisis in Southern California. However, volunteering comes with its own challenges. Rising living costs, fueled by policies from the Biden and Newsom administrations, make it increasingly difficult to volunteer without compensation. While my wife and I initially committed to helping our local community, the state can legally require us to assist elsewhere—without pay. Refusal can even result in jail time.
This frustrating dynamic leaves many volunteers feeling unsupported and undervalued. My wife and I signed up to help our county, not the entire state. Yet, we’re now faced with the possibility of being compelled to leave our home for extended periods, disrupting our lives and finances.
Policy Failures and Environmental Mismanagement
The severity of California’s wildfires stems from decades of poor forest management and shortsighted policies. When I first moved to El Dorado County, sawmills and forest-thinning projects kept wildfires manageable. Over the past 20 years, environmental regulations, influenced by groups like the Sierra Club and liberal politicians, have shut down these essential operations. As a result, forests have become overgrown tinderboxes, leading to massive, uncontrollable wildfires.
Our roads, once maintained, are now overgrown with brush. In an evacuation scenario, these roads could become impassable, cutting off escape routes. My family has prepared multiple evacuation plans, including routes to the east, west, and south. If we must head north, however, we know we’ll be on foot. This level of planning comes from training and experience, but many lack this knowledge, leaving them dangerously unprepared.
The Long Road to Recovery
The aftermath of these fires will be catastrophic. Rebuilding Southern California’s infrastructure will take years. Power grids in older neighborhoods, where lines are above ground, will require extensive repairs. Water systems will be contaminated and take months to restore. Natural gas and cellular service will face similar delays.
Homeowners returning to their properties will find hazardous waste sites. Cleanup will be expensive and time-consuming, further delaying rebuilding efforts. Insurance claims will be backlogged, and the few companies remaining in California will struggle to meet demand.
Wildfires also devastate the environment. Toxic runoff from burned areas will contaminate lakes, streams, and oceans, decimating fish and marine life. The ripple effects of these disasters are far-reaching and long-lasting.
The Cost of Misguided Priorities
Governor Newsom initially expanded fire prevention programs in 2017, but recent budget cuts have significantly reduced these efforts. Instead, the state has prioritized initiatives like DEI (Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion), open border policies, and social programs. While these may resonate with urban voters, they do little to address the immediate dangers faced by rural Californians.
Leaders like Newsom and the Mayor of Los Angeles seem disconnected from the realities of wildfire prevention and recovery. Their focus on progressive policies has left California ill-prepared to handle these disasters. Even President Trump warned Newsom about the importance of forestry management during the aftermath of the Camp Fire. Newsom, however, took no significant action.
A State in Decline
California is in a state of disrepair, plagued by flawed policies on climate control, energy, water, crime, and farming. Insurance rates have skyrocketed, and many companies have left the state entirely. My homeowner’s insurance has risen from $900 a year in 2007 to over $8,000 today, forcing me onto the state plan.
For many, the rising costs and ongoing disasters will prompt them to leave the state entirely. Housing shortages and high property values make it nearly impossible to start over within California. Those who remain face an uncertain future, as the state struggles to recover from one disaster after another.
A Hope for Change
The California Dream is fading for many residents. Rural counties like mine, which lean conservative, are overshadowed by the political dominance of urban areas like San Francisco, Los Angeles, and San Diego. Without significant policy changes, California will continue to face devastating wildfires, crumbling infrastructure, and an exodus of residents.
I hope that these fires will awaken voters to the need for change. Perhaps the Hollywood elite, many of whom have already fled to states like Texas or Florida, will finally use their influence to demand better leadership. For now, all I can do is prepare for the worst, vote for change, and hope that my children will see a brighter future for California.
