California Wildfires

I’m sure you’ve all heard of the devastating wildfires that scorched much of Southern California. News reports said that nearly 1,200 houses and other structures were burned to the ground, forcing nearly a million people in San Diego County alone to evacuate.

Southern California is one of the most densely populated areas of the United States, so the fires wreaked havoc among the population and caused many businesses to temporarily close as their employees were forced to quite literally run for their lives as the flames came closer and closer.

Shockingly, fire investigation officials stated that at least one of the fires was an act of arson. In another case, the fire was caused by a little boy who was playing with matches. In that case, over three hundred houses were burned to the ground! All because of a little boy playing with matches—can you believe it?

What about in Japan? Has this country ever seen such devastation due to wildfires like the ones in Southern California? I have read that much of Tokyo was destroyed by the huge earthquake that rocked this city way back in 1923. Japanese call it 関東大震災。 In the United States, two cities, namely Chicago and San Francisco, have been partly destroyed by huge fires. But these latest wildfires were thankfully far from the city. However, that made them all the more difficult to fight.

Hopefully, Californians will see more rain this winter season. The area suffers from constant drought, so they could really use it! It will come as no surprise to anyone if next summer sees even more devastation. Even so, millions of people still prefer to live and work there, making California their home sweet home. Strange, isn’t it?

Aurelio (^_^)
Global Communications