Lewis McPartlin | Reporter
Recently in California, a string of deadly wildfires have swept through the state, claiming the lives of dozens. The cause of the fires is still unknown, although experts are presuming that the source is likely to be due to a malfunctioning power line.
Fires have spread across the counties relentlessly in California, with the fire departments placing all their efforts in the hope that it can be contained with minimal casualties and fatalities. Despite their best efforts, a great deal of damage has already been done.
Many evacuation orders have been issued. Authorities have advised residents that if they do not leave and the fire does reach them, there will be no rescue available. Consequently, 20,000 or more people have fled their homes in seek of refuge. Unfortunately, in the four counties affected, the wildfire is known to have caused numerous casualties- in one county alone the whereabouts of 400 residents remain unaccounted for.
The fires began on the 8th of October and has been a lifechanging event for many people. Wildfires in California are not uncommon however in this instance, an unprecedented figure of over 40 deaths are known to date. This now begs the question, was this a manmade disaster like a fallen power line? Or perhaps in fact something far more sinister, such as global warming as demonstrated in the recent Atlantic storms?
While the firefighters now seem to be winning the battle, the damage is already done and the devastation is greater than most of us can imagine. Livelihoods, homes and loved ones all wiped out. The question remains, was it an accident or was it a product of our own design, carelessness and disregard for our world?
