Fire crews are still battling the Franklin Fire in Malibu, California, which started on December 9. The fire has already burned more than 4,000 acres and affected approximately 22,000 people. As of Thursday, the fire is 20% contained, and officials have stated that it will take several days to fully extinguish the blaze.
Causes of the Franklin Fire
While the exact cause of the Franklin Fire is yet to be determined, experts believe two primary factors have contributed to its destructive nature: Santa Ana winds and climate change.
Santa Ana Winds
Santa Ana winds are a key factor in fueling wildfires in California. These winds occur when high pressure builds over the Great Basin (the area between the Rocky Mountains and Sierra Nevada) and low pressure forms along California’s coast. This pressure difference causes powerful winds to move from inland deserts, over the mountains, and toward the Pacific Ocean.
As the wind descends from the mountains, it compresses and heats up, causing the humidity to drop significantly—sometimes to below 10%. This results in extremely dry vegetation, making it highly susceptible to fire. Santa Ana winds typically occur from October to January.
Climate Change and Its Impact
Climate change has exacerbated the effects of the Santa Ana winds. Rising global temperatures have led to warmer springs and summers, as well as earlier snowmelt. These conditions result in longer, more intense dry seasons, which stress vegetation and make forests more vulnerable to wildfires.
Increasing Frequency and Intensity of Wildfires
Recent studies indicate that the wildfire season in California has lengthened in recent years. For example, a 2021 study in Nature Scientific Reports found that the state’s annual burn season has extended over the past two decades, with the peak of the wildfire season shifting from August to July.
Moreover, wildfires in California have become more intense. A 2023 study in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) revealed that 10 of the largest wildfires in the state have occurred in the last 20 years, with five of them happening in 2020 alone.
Future Outlook: A Worsening Situation
The situation is expected to worsen as human activities continue to contribute to greenhouse gas emissions. A recent United Nations report warns that current climate policies will lead to global warming of over 3°C by the end of the century, more than twice the 1.5°C threshold considered critical for avoiding the worst effects of climate change.
Multiple-Choice Questions (MCQs):
- What is the current containment level of the Franklin Fire in Malibu?
- A) 10%
- B) 20%
- C) 50%
- D) 75%
- What natural phenomenon is believed to have fueled the Franklin Fire in Malibu?
- A) Tornadoes
- B) Santa Ana winds
- C) Earthquakes
- D) Tsunamis
- When do Santa Ana winds typically occur in California?
- A) June to August
- B) October to January
- C) March to May
- D) December to February
- What is one of the major consequences of climate change on wildfires in California?
- A) Shorter wildfire seasons
- B) Increased frequency of snowstorms
- C) Longer and more intense dry seasons
- D) Reduced wind speeds
- According to a 2023 study, how many of the largest wildfires in California occurred in 2020?
- A) 2
- B) 5
- C) 7
- D) 10
- What is the predicted global temperature rise by the end of the century according to a recent UN report?
- A) 1°C
- B) 1.5°C
- C) 2°C
- D) Over 3°C