[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] It is reported that a vast forest area equivalent to three times the size of Seoul has been destroyed by wildfires in California, USA. With the containment rate still at about 21%, there are concerns that the damage area will continue to expand.
According to foreign media such as CNN on the 8th (local time), California fire authorities reported that the Dixie Fire, which occurred in the northeastern part of the state, has burned an area of 489,287 acres (approximately 1,980 km²) as of that day, making it the second-largest wildfire area in California's history. The only larger wildfire in California was last August's fire that burned over 1 million acres.
The area destroyed by this wildfire exceeds three times the size of Seoul (605 km²). The wildfire, which started on the 14th of last month, affected four counties including Plumas County, where evacuation orders were issued for 40% of residents, and destroyed about 100 buildings. With the containment rate still at 21%, the damage area is expected to expand further.
U.S. fire authorities stated that there are currently 107 large wildfires occurring across 15 states nationwide, burning 2,272,800 acres. According to the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC), the total number of wildfires in the U.S. this year up to this date is 39,267, with 3,540,703 acres burned. Although the exact cause of this wildfire has not yet been determined, CNN reported that record-breaking heatwaves and droughts caused by climate change are considered to have triggered the large wildfires.
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