Please ensure Javascript is enabled for purposes of website accessibility
Experts: California Wildfire is Deadliest in Last 100 Years
By admin
Published 6 years ago on
November 15, 2018

Share

Wildfire experts say the Northern California wildfire that has killed at least 56 is the deadliest in a century.

“For the modern era, this is definitely going to go down as the deadliest on record for the U.S.” — Crystal Kolden, a professor at the University of Idaho and expert in fire science

California officials say the fire burning in a rural area far north of San Francisco killed more people than any blaze in the state’s recorded history.

But the U.S. government doesn’t closely track civilian casualties and records from long ago are incomplete.

Stephen Pyne, a regent professor at Arizona State University’s School of Life Sciences and author of “Between Two Fires: A Fire History of Contemporary America,” and Crystal Kolden, a professor at the University of Idaho and expert in fire science, said 1918 was the last time more people were killed in a wildfire.

Not Keeping Good Statistics on Civilian Casualties From Wildfires

“For the modern era, this is definitely going to go down as the deadliest on record for the U.S.,” said Kolden, who has studied wildfires for 20 years since she worked as a wildland firefighter for the U.S. Forest Service.

“Fire statistics are not very good because they’re remotely generated. It’s very hard to find out even how many houses burned in a year.”Stephen Pyne, a regent professor at Arizona State University’s School of Life Sciences

A century ago, the Cloquet Fire broke out in drought-stricken northern Minnesota and raced through a number of rural communities, destroying thousands of homes and killing an estimated 1,000 people. The fire helped prompt the federal government to start developing firefighting practices and policies.

Pyne, who was a firefighter before he began researching wildfires in 1977, said U.S. government agencies still don’t keep good statistics on civilian casualties from wildfires.

“Fire statistics are not very good because they’re remotely generated,” he said. “It’s very hard to find out even how many houses burned in a year.”

DON'T MISS

What Are Fresno Real Estate Experts Predicting for 2025 and Beyond?

DON'T MISS

First California EV Mandates Hit Automakers This Year. Most Are Not Even Close

DON'T MISS

Looking for New Ways to Celebrate Mother’s and Father’s Days in Fresno?

DON'T MISS

A Tidal Wave of Change Is Headed for the U.S. Economy

DON'T MISS

‘Do Not Mock Us’: Trump’s AI Pope Photo Draws Backlash from Catholic Leaders

DON'T MISS

Warren Buffett Shocks Shareholders by Announcing His Intention to Retire at the End of the Year

DON'T MISS

Don’t Have a REAL ID Yet? That Could Cause You Travel Headaches After May 7

DON'T MISS

Grand Theft Auto VI Delayed Again, This Time Until May 2026

DON'T MISS

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese Wins a Second 3-Year Term

DON'T MISS

Justice Department Will Switch Its Focus on Voting and Prioritize Trump’s Elections Order

DON'T MISS

Newsom Jabs at Trump and Musk, but Will AI Make California More Efficient?

DON'T MISS

Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs Trial to Delve Into the Seediest Side of Rap’s ‘Bad Boy’

UP NEXT

Don’t Have a REAL ID Yet? That Could Cause You Travel Headaches After May 7

UP NEXT

Newsom Jabs at Trump and Musk, but Will AI Make California More Efficient?

UP NEXT

Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs Trial to Delve Into the Seediest Side of Rap’s ‘Bad Boy’

UP NEXT

Robbie Ray’s Gem Leads the Giants Over the Rockies

UP NEXT

World’s Tallest and Smallest Dogs Meet Up for a Playdate

UP NEXT

University of Texas Chancellor Is Named President of the University of California

UP NEXT

Here’s Why May the 4th Is Celebrated as Star Wars Day Across the Galaxy

UP NEXT

Military Parade on Trump’s Birthday Could Include More Than 6,500 Troops

UP NEXT

California Lawmakers Kill Bid to Force HOAs to Follow Open Meeting Laws

UP NEXT

California Democrats Backed Into a Corner Over Teen Sex Solicitation

Warren Buffett Shocks Shareholders by Announcing His Intention to Retire at the End of the Year

2 days ago

Don’t Have a REAL ID Yet? That Could Cause You Travel Headaches After May 7

2 days ago

Grand Theft Auto VI Delayed Again, This Time Until May 2026

2 days ago

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese Wins a Second 3-Year Term

2 days ago

Justice Department Will Switch Its Focus on Voting and Prioritize Trump’s Elections Order

2 days ago

Newsom Jabs at Trump and Musk, but Will AI Make California More Efficient?

2 days ago

Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs Trial to Delve Into the Seediest Side of Rap’s ‘Bad Boy’

2 days ago

Robbie Ray’s Gem Leads the Giants Over the Rockies

2 days ago

Voters to Decide if Home of Elon Musk’s SpaceX Should Become an Official City: Starbase

2 days ago

World’s Tallest and Smallest Dogs Meet Up for a Playdate

2 days ago

Looking for New Ways to Celebrate Mother’s and Father’s Days in Fresno?

Fresno City and County Historical Society is hosting two celebrations for Mother’s Day and Father’s Day. A Mother’s Day Tea Party invites gu...

19 hours ago

19 hours ago

Looking for New Ways to Celebrate Mother’s and Father’s Days in Fresno?

1 day ago

A Tidal Wave of Change Is Headed for the U.S. Economy

2 days ago

‘Do Not Mock Us’: Trump’s AI Pope Photo Draws Backlash from Catholic Leaders

2 days ago

Warren Buffett Shocks Shareholders by Announcing His Intention to Retire at the End of the Year

2 days ago

Don’t Have a REAL ID Yet? That Could Cause You Travel Headaches After May 7

2 days ago

Grand Theft Auto VI Delayed Again, This Time Until May 2026

2 days ago

Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese Wins a Second 3-Year Term

2 days ago

Justice Department Will Switch Its Focus on Voting and Prioritize Trump’s Elections Order

Help continue the work that gets you the news that matters most.

Search

Send this to a friend