MISSION: WATER 20 SURFACE WATER Since penning this article, the dry season in California has resulted in a new wave of devastating wildfires. As of mid-August, the Mendocino Complex Fire has become the largest wildfire on record, burning over 400,000 acres of the state. It has been a particularly harsh year for fires, with CAL FIRE and the U.S. Forest Service reporting 2018's blazes have burned six times the acreage compared to those in recent years.14 Fighting fires in America's most arid landscapes has gone from a seasonal concern to a year-round battle. 2018 California Wildfires Editor's Note Droughts & Fire: The Connection California’s water infrastructure, while flawed, mostly fulfills drinking water and agricultural needs during drought conditions, however forest, mountain and park systems are left to dry, setting the stage for the spread of disastrous wildfires. According to the U.S. Global Change Research Program, there are two identified climatic mechanisms that affect fire in the western United States; increased vegetation flammability and an increase dried vegetation availability. However, there are a number of other factors that contribute to spreading wildfires, including a lack of soil moisture, low humidity, and high wind speeds.12 The National Park Service estimates that 90% of forest fires each year are caused by people.13 Californians should do their part to prevent these issues by carefully disposing of cigarettes, closely monitoring campfires, and avoiding burning debris. In the state’s drought-ridden landscape – it just takes one spark to create a raging wildfire. Destruction from Wildfires During 2017, low moisture levels and large concentrations of dried vegetation helped spark the Tubbs Fire. Tubbs became one of the most devastating wildfires in California history because the ease of which it was able to spread through cities with dried landscapes. Tubbs was followed shortly by another blazing inferno – the Thomas Fire – which holds the record for the most acreage burned during a single wildfire event. Wildfires of this magnitude create pollution affecting virtually every aspect of the environment. Debris in the aftermath could contain flammable liquids, old batteries, paint, insulation, electronics, and possibly asbestos. With rainfall, toxins can potentially flow into rivers and streams, introducing toxins to wildlife. Wind can also transfer debris and ash to neighboring communities, establishing additional toxins into an area that otherwise would have been unaffected. 13 NPS, Wildfire Causes and Evaluations 14 CAL FIRE, 2018 Incident Information 12 Wehner, et al, U.S. Global Change Research Program, Climate Science Special Report