The West’s Fire Season
Another summer of destructive wildfires was also a symptom of the drought. From California to British Columbia, the West was a sea of smoke and haze. A monster lightning storm following the Pacific Northwest heat wave set the stage for fire season there, while California just burned like it does with increasing regularity. This year’s fire season pulled out the usual horrific stops, like an entire town being incinerated and day turning into night. But there was some new nightmare fuel, including surreal images of people golfing amidst smoke-filled skies and trees going up in flames next to ski lifts. Living with drought also means learning to live with fire, too.
