Preparing for 2021 After Record Wildfires in 2020

In a year of pandemic, where so many were challenged around the world, California saw its own grim milestone in 2020 — a record-shattering wildfire season.

Last year, nearly 10,000 fires burned over 4.2 million acres across California, making it the largest wildfire season recorded in the state’s modern history. California lost nearly as many acres to fire in 2020 as it did in the four previous years … combined,

The level of fire activity developed like a perfect storm of terror. Thousands of lightning strikes sparked hundreds of fires, a weather event never before experienced. The August Complex Fire was described as the first “gigafire” and burned over one million acres, becoming California’s largest recorded wildfire. Five of the 10 most destructive fires in California history took place in 2020.

“It’s been said before, but it bears repeating — ‘fire season’ is a year-round reality,” said CPF President Brian Rice.

So far in 2021, the prospects for an easing of the fire burden aren’t promising. Continued warm weather and climate change are having an inexorable impact on the fire risk. This winter, the state is experiencing high temperatures, high winds and a lack of rainfall. With these drier conditions prolonged, it increases susceptibility to fire.

With these challenges facing the state, California is pushing back with more resources for response and prevention. With CPF’s strong support, Governor Gavin Newsom’s 2021-2022 budget includes a major new investment. The budget includes $143 million to add additional paid fire crews, enhancing the response in the areas most in need. Another $48 million will support bringing in additional Blackhawk helicopters and air tankers.

Perhaps most significantly, the budget includes more than $1 billion to support enhanced forest health and fire prevention, building on the strong initiative launched in 2019 and 2020.

Throughout it all, firefighters stepped up to meet the need and ensure the health and safety of their communities. But it was not without challenges. The COVID-19 pandemic made circumstances much harder. Thousands of firefighters were called into action across the state, but new tactics for deployment and fire camps were created to ensure safety protocols were met.

Facing this “new normal” can be difficult to bear. The demands of battling increasingly severe wildfire seasons, plus the added stresses of the COVID-19 pandemic, is pushing firefighters harder than ever. Even the toughest can experience mental and emotional stresses from the nature of the job.

“Many of our members were facing month-long stretches on the fire lines, with almost no rest,” said President Rice. “This kind of burden is not only physically draining but emotionally exhausting as well. Members need to know we have their backs.”

Resources and peer support are available for firefighters and their families at HealingOurOwn.org.