Every year a series of strong winds sweep through southern California. These hot, dry, gusts, called the Santa Ana Winds, carry with them an annual series of disastrous wildfires that have affected the lifestyle and landscape of the region. With each new year there appears to come a more devastating surge of fires, bringing permanent damage with each passing flame.
In October 2007, over 1,500 homes and 500,000 acres of land were destroyed in southern California forcing 1,000,000 people out of their homes and leaving many of them homeless in the process. These fires went on to injure 85 people, 61 of who were firefighters, while leaving 14 dead as a result.
Aside from the immediate effects of the blaze, experts believe the environmental toll from the 2007 fires will take decades to recover. Due to the fires, the air quality in San Diego has risen to near lethal levels, citing a major health concern throughout southern California. With damage costs reaching over $1 billion, the 2007 fires continue to affect the social and cultural aspects of the community.
Since the fire, state and government organizations have begun instituting programs to better equip themselves for future disasters. While outside of these groups, the general public still lacks a strong enough understanding of these fires to be ready in case of emergency.
Wildfires: A California Disaster is a short educational documentary about wildfires in California that we hope could be used to further educate the people of our State about the different causes of these fires, how to prevent them, and ways to prepare if there is a need in their community.
