There’s nothing like a disaster to suddenly reveal how deeply connected we are to our environment and other living things in it. The 2018 wildfire season in California has been the most destructive and deadly ever in our state’s history. This year, some 7,500 fires have burned 1.6 million acres across California, affecting humans and animals alike.
After any disaster, experts say emotional connection is key to long-term mental health. California HOPE is a mental health program in Sonoma County, California providing just that.
When I moved to Sacramento last year I thought I was escaping earthquakes. For years, I lived just down the street from the Hayward Fault in North Berkeley. Our little bungalow on a hill was cute but creaky. I used to joke with my husband that if our house collapsed when The Big One hit we could buy that Airstream he always wanted.
So, it was a relief knowing my family was safe from such a calamity when we moved to Sacramento. Then wildfire season hit.
Scientists say it’s not if but when the next big wildfire happens
Wildfires in California are burning bigger and hotter every year and are expected to get worse as climate change intensifies. No one can predict when a wildfire will strike but there are things individuals and communities can do to prepare for the next big one. Here’s what the experts say:
Our researchers are working with communities across California to study the physical and emotional impacts wildfires have had on survivors over the past several years.
