Degree Name

Bachelor of Arts (BA)

Department

Environmental Studies

Advisor(s)

John Van Buren

Abstract

This paper addresses the current state of California's wildfire epidemic and how the increasing effects of climate change have worsened the fires, harming residents' health and the state's economy. The wildfires are shaped by factors such as climate change, land-use choices, and policy designs. California wildfires have worsened substantially in the 21st century, with the worst burns in the 2020 season setting a record of 4.2 to 4.5 million acres destroyed. Given current policies and the administration's disinterest in combating climate change, understanding wildfire history and data is essential to improving California's wildfire resilience, creating sustainable land management practices, and implementing effective adaptation strategies to protect residents in fire-prone areas. Chapter One discusses the environmental factors that contribute to California wildfires and how climate change, rising temperatures, and various human activities create a favorable environment for wildfires to continue burning each year. Chapter Two delves into the economic ramifications of wildfires, explaining how they strain the market and impose a burden on lower-income social classes. Chapter Three explores the social and public health impacts of wildfires on California residents, as well as the severe effects on civilians' lives due to reduced air quality. Chapter Four describes potential fire policy and management frameworks that would benefit California and a redesigned emergency response system. Finally, Chapter Five builds upon discussions and lessons from previous chapters to outline climate adaptation, sustainable land-use planning for California, and the necessary infrastructure and technology investments, as well as policy reforms, to protect the state.

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