المملكة: Prevention strategies need to be strengthened after California wildfires

Forest fires are considered one of the most dangerous environmental disasters that threaten the stability of ecosystems and the health of living organisms, especially when they recur on a large scale, as is the case in the state of California, which has become a symbol of the suffering of nature and humans from the effects of these devastating fires.
The negative impacts extend to the environment, climate, and public health, which calls for urgent strategies to reduce these disasters.

California fires

Dr. Mudhi Al-Otaibi, associate professor of plant ecology at Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, told Al-Youm that the recurring forest fires in California are among the most dangerous environmental disasters that directly affect ecosystems, biodiversity, and population areas.

She explained that these fires extend to vast areas, leading to the destruction of vegetation, which is the primary source of food and shelter for living organisms, causing an imbalance in the environmental balance, loss of biodiversity, and deterioration of ecosystems that play a vital role in climate stability.
Dr. Al-Otaibi pointed out that these fires emit smoke that becomes dense clouds of harmful gases, including carbon dioxide and methane, and these emissions of greenhouse gases contribute to exacerbating the phenomenon of global warming and increasing climate fluctuations.

The danger of forest fires

These fires also release fine particles and heavy metals into the air, negatively affecting local and regional air quality.
She added that the impact of these fires is transmitted to residents in nearby areas, causing health damage that is clearly evident in high rates of diseases such as eye allergies and respiratory diseases, such as asthma and bronchitis, especially among groups most at risk, such as children and the elderly.
Prolonged exposure to smoke from fires may also lead to long-term health problems, including heart and nervous system diseases.

Strengthening fire prevention strategies

Dr. Al-Otaibi stressed the importance of strengthening fire prevention strategies and managing forests in a sustainable manner, noting the necessity of adopting modern technologies to monitor fires and deal with them early.
She called for increasing environmental awareness among local communities to preserve ecosystems and reduce the risks resulting from these disasters.