Disasters happen more often than we think or even hear about. Recently, news of the Northern California wildfires have spread, and some may even remember the terrible inferno’s that have ravaged the state in the past, like for example, last years Soberanes fire in Monterey that burned over 100,000 acres.

  Wildfires can start/spread due to so many different reasons, but one contributing factor to the destruction often overlooked by the general public is the wind. Every year in California, near October, the onshore winds reverse direction, and the winds blow from land to the sea, becoming what is called offshore winds. This Californian Phenomenon usually causes heat to be blown towards the sea, sometimes igniting things in its path, such as a forest or grassland.

  While the winds on their own are sometimes enough to start a fire, most often the winds end up adding to the destruction of already burning flames. The winds push the fire so violently that once it starts moving, the best; and only thing you can do is to get out of the way of its path.

  During the first stages of the Nor-Cal fires this year, residents were told to evacuate the area as this was the best and only option for survival during the wind’s push. Many people were not fortunate enough to escape the dangerous path of the fiery blaze in time. With the wind patterns, smoke is also picked up and moved throughout the West Coast.

   The Smoke from the fires floats up into the air, gets caught and dragged with the wind, spreading across the surrounding areas, as well as regions far away. Every year resources from all around the country flood into the West Coast to help states fight and recover from the terrible fires. People in the affected areas band together in tough times like these and rely on one another as well as outside help to get through these painstaking events.

  EMS crews and other relief crews work tirelessly to make the life of those affected better, and help them recover. Public support throughout these many traumatic events have been amazing, donations and supplies have been steadily flowing and are being put to use, but are still needed, and will still be needed in the future.