West U.S. wildfires are so extreme that they’re creating lightning, fire whirls
Summary
More than 80 large fires are burning in 13 states across the U.S. currently, impacting nearly 1.3 million acres. One of the worst remains in Southern Oregon — the Bootleg Fire. It has been burning for two weeks and has already scorched an area a third of the size of Rhode Island. Carrie Bilbao with the National Interagency Fire Center joins William Brangham with the latest on the fires.
Five Facts
Who
is Carrie Bilbao?
What
is the immediate cause of these wildfires?
When
do extreme fires at higher elevations normally happen?
When
are they happening now?
Why
are these particular fires more of concern?
What
is extreme fire behavior?
Focus Questions
Bilbao mentions that rain would help control these fires, but in a drought that doesn’t happen. What are other ways authorities can prevent and prepare for these wildfires? Can you think of any long-term ideas to help with wildfire prevention?
Media Literacy:
By broadcasting this story, what did the producers hope to achieve? What might the response to this piece be?
For More
To track the spread of wildfires in the US as Carrie Bilbao does, see
this website.
For more from PBS on wildfires and droughts, see these stories
