Thousands Temporarily Evacuated in California Wildfire
The Facts
A wildfire initially broke out in the hills near the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory Saturday — scorching thousands of acres, approximately 60 miles (97 km) east of San Francisco. Authorities ordered thousands of residents to temporarily evacuate — orders which have since been lifted.
According to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, the research center, which is a strategic nuclear weapons development center, was never in direct danger from the fire.
The Spin
Narrative A
It's still early in the fire season, but California has already seen over 1.2K wildfires. Forecasts indicate that La Nina and climate change will intensify the warmer weather. A rainy winter, paradoxically, promotes vegetation growth, and when plants dry up, they become fuel, complicating the already dangerous wildfire season.
Narrative B
The frequency and severity of California wildfires have increased each year in the 21st century. But research indicates that people cause the majority of wildfires, with only 10 -15% occurring naturally. The causes range from smoking to igniting power lines. In fact, human-caused fires are more devastating than those caused by weather — a vital context that's often overlooked.