26 September 2020 | New Scientist | 25Red for danger
Photographer Josh Edelson
Agency AFP/Getty Images
THIS is what a US wildfire looks
like up close. Trees and embers
burn on the other side of the
Bidwell Bar Bridge, which spans
California’s Lake Oroville in
Butte county. These appear white
in the image, while the lights to
the right are from a small boat.
Thick smoke from the fire
is responsible for the red hues.
Smoke particles filter out shorter
wavelengths of light, such as blue
and yellow, while allowing longer,
redder wavelengths through.
Its peculiar beauty is a dire
warning about the power and
spread of wildfires in the region.
The Bear Fire in Butte County
is part of a major crisis in the
western US, where the most
severe wildfires in two decades
are destroying homes, landscapes
and livelihoods.
The first wildfires started in
California and Colorado in August.
So far, more than 10 states have
been affected, including
Washington and Oregon.
Collectively, some 18,000 square
kilometres have been scorched.
The smoke could also have
serious effects on health. The risk
of lung infections from inhaling
the smoke is made worse by the
other pressing threat, covid-19.
Wildfires serve as a stark
reminder of climate change.
Longer and drier summer
seasons coupled with strong
winds are largely to blame for
the unprecedented size and
scale of the fires. ❚
Gege Li