Wildfire Season 2020
The air snapped like a bullwhip, and the building shook. The noise was so intense it seemed as if someone was trying to get through our front door with an axe. These startling few moments would turn in to weeks of devastation.
Fortunately it wasn’t an axe wielding psycho at our door that late night. Instead, it was a series of severe dry lightning storms that would light up the Northern California region. These electric storms are believed to have produced nearly 12,000 strikes igniting approximately 585 fires. The past winter was fairly dry and our summers usually quite hot, and this created a perfect scenario for another busy wildfire season. California is no stranger to wildfires, and in recent years, we have experienced large scale destruction caused by both man and nature.
The 2018 Camp Fire was the deadliest and most destructive wildfire in California history that was started by strong winds blowing down a power line in a remote wooded area. According to the US Census Bureau, it is also the deadliest wildfire in the United States since the Cloquet fire in 1918 and is high on the list of the world's deadliest wildfires; it is the sixth-deadliest U.S. wildfire overall. It was one of the world's costliest natural disasters in 2018. The fire caused at least 85 civilian fatalities. It covered an area of 153,336 acres, and destroyed 18,804 structures, with most of the damage occurring within the first four hours.
The more recent lightning storms have ignited a number of smaller fires that have merged together to create two large fires: the LNU and SCU lightning complexes. Cal Fire states these fires have already burned for nearly 30 days, and charred approximately 400,000 acres of land each.
The effects of such large scale destruction, especially in areas previously not developed with housing, is not only creating a health problem, but also a housing problem. When the town of Paradise was wiped out by the Camp Fire, nearly 50,000 people were displaced. I remember our phones and emails lighting up from all the inquiries in those first few weeks after the fire. Families were desperately seeking resources for both temporary and permanent housing. While many chose to not go back, others were eager to return to the area they called home. AB 430 was quickly passed through state legislation, and reconstruction efforts were to be streamlined in helping meet the housing demands.
But those that were displaced and decided to seek housing elsewhere meant there was a new strain on an already competitive housing market. Low supply only magnified the problems, and with a simple supply and demand scenario, prices in surrounding communities increased nearly $50,000 almost immediately.
California is no less a stranger to wildfire season as it is to increasing population density. As cities grow fuller with residents, it’s understandable that some desire greater sense of isolation or solitude from the crowds. The quieter areas tend to be more remote and harder to access. When wildfires start in these areas, they can be harder to spot, and even harder to contain. The side effects of the fire activity have certainly brought much more media attention to these areas, a louder call to action against climate change, displaced families from their hometowns, and increased fire insurance rates.
When discussing the region as Realtors with our clients, inevitably we are asked about fire season. There’s plenty of facts, data, and media coverage to give potential home buyers a snapshot of the area. It’s the personal experience that we can share which can be useful in filling the gaps. As we are also experiencing an influx of work-from-home driven relocations, it’s more important than ever that we share regional info with new residents. You might be surprised that only 30 minutes from the state Capitol building you can find yourself in a residential hilly area much like the one’s most affected by wildfires.
For me though, even with having to spend more time indoors during bad air days, I wouldn’t trade it for a region that gets snow for the same amount of time. To each their, and I’m happy to share our long-time experience about the region with our clients. Lean on us as your local experts, we’re eager to discuss your needs and provide the information you need to make your housing decisions.
