Alexander Gershunov

California is experienced with wildfire, fire starting in dry ecosystems fanned by roaring dry winds and often spreading to urban areas consuming the built environment. Many of the largest and most destructive wildfires have occurred in recent years. The deadliest was Camp Fire of November 2018, burning down the entire town of Paradise, killing 85 people, destroying 18,804 structures — mostly homes — and blazing through 153,000 acres. The Thomas Fire blazed through 282,000 acres, burning through most of December 2017 and into January 2018, the largest wildfire in California’s recorded history at the time and now the largest only in Southern California’s history. It destroyed over 1,000 structures and killed two people. Twenty-two more people were killed by mud and debris flowing from the burn scar triggered by the first rain event of winter that finally put out Thomas’ smoldering remains. All of these and many other fires started on the slopes of California’s coastal topography in strong, dry and gusty downslope winds promoting their quick progression. They were all ignited by power lines.

There are strong indications that some of the Los Angeles fires still burning today were also ignited by power lines. While many traditional sources of wildfire ignition (cigarettes, campfires) are declining due to education and messaging, power line ignitions are growing in frequency.

Strong gusty Santa Ana winds........

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