The ongoing heat wave sweeping the country, along with wildfire events like the Park Fire, are posing significant threats to public safety and critical infrastructure. The Park Fire has become California's largest wildfire this year and is now the sixth largest wildfire in state history. Unprecedented heat, up to 12 degrees above average, is exacerbating the wildfire season, with the deadly combination of extreme heat and wildfires posing numerous challenges for a number of industries.
Wildfire forecasting has evolved significantly since its inception in 1950. Today, it leverages advanced computer models, integrated meteorological information, and denser observation networks to improve the accuracy of fire prediction and identify wildfire risks. 'forest fires even before they ignite. For example, utilities can now receive wildfire forecasts up to seven days in advance, helping make public safety power outage decisions. However, these decisions must strike a delicate balance, as turning off power can affect cooling options during extreme temperatures.
Artificial intelligence, satellites and camera networks are being used to quickly identify new burn areas, aiding in fire containment and helping firefighters and emergency managers plan evacuations. This year, California has already battled 3,500 wildfires, which have affected 207,000 acres of land, 20 times more than the same period last year. Firefighters are now referring to this year as the year of fire, given the frequency and intensity of the fires.
The threat level is expected to rise as August is usually the peak of the fire season, with more than 9,000 wildfires on average. The western region, already susceptible to wildfires due to development, land management practices and other factors, faces increased risks due to recent hot and dry weather. This weather is further drying the landscape and contributing to fire fuels such as dry grass, branches and downed trees, which help these fires start and spread more quickly.
Businesses in the area are not only preparing for wildfires, but also struggling with the compounding effect of wildfires and extreme heat. Utilities, in particular, are hard hit. A common strategy to mitigate wildfire risks is to temporarily turn off power, but this can have deadly impacts during extreme heat.
Healthcare providers are also preparing for the compounding impacts of these extreme weather events. Firefighters are at risk of serious heat-related illnesses, while the public faces increased hospitalizations for heart and lung conditions. There is also growing concern about neurological health during extreme heat and wildfires.
As climate change doubles the number of extreme wildfire risk days in California, accurate fire weather forecasting becomes critical for businesses in at-risk areas. Understanding the evolution of fire weather definition and accurate forecasting of wildfire risk will play a crucial role in long-term risk mitigation strategies.
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