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LETTER EDITOR from the
Growing up surrounded by the mountains of Ventura County, I would always feel safe when I admired the beautiful olive green landscape around me. It wasn’t until I was older that I realized that those mountains could potentially house dangerous wildfires, and that those warm, windy days we call Santa Anas were more dangerous than just knocking down a few trees. This was never more apparent than the 2013 Springs Fire, when I stood on my high school campus with my peers and watched through black clouds of smoke as flames crested the mountain and forced my school to close early. When that was over, we thought it was a fluke — a once in a lifetime thing. Then, the Thomas Fire in 2017 hit, becoming the second largest fire in California history. And less than a year after that, no more than 24 hours after the Borderline Shooting, the Hill and Woolsey Fires erupted and chased us out of our homes again. I can’t count the number of times I’ve stood on my roof, watching fires in the distance or following smoke to see how close it could be to my house. I’ll never forget the call at 3 a.m. telling us to evacuate because the Hill Fire was too close for comfort. I was lucky, but I could tell you about the thousands of people who weren’t. And now, just in the past month, we’ve had several fires threaten tens of thousands of people, forcing us to face the reality that maybe “wildfire season” isn’t something we should take lightly anymore. In our Fire issue, we document the bravery and hard work of first responders who put their lives on the line to fight these wildfires (page 6). We then have a CSUN professor explain why fires have become so prominent in California in the last few years (page 4), as well as an opinion on why we need to hold our power companies accountable for these fires (page 11). We also hear from a CSUN student whose house burned down in the Tick Fire, but won’t let that keep him from accomplishing his goals (10). If there’s one thing I’ve learned from growing up in Thousand Oaks, it’s that Californians know how to stick together in tough times and uplift one another. Whether it be fires, a mass shooting or any other devastating loss, a community will always come together to heal, something that is so important as we face worsening climate change and drought. Because if we don’t support each other, we will lose so much more than our homes to these fires. Thank you,
SUNDIAL STAFF Editor-in-Chief
Madison Parsley editor@csun.edu
Managing Visual Editor Joshua Pacheco photo@csun.edu News Editor Gillian Moran-Perez city@csun.edu Assistant News Editor Kimberly Silverio-Bautista city@csun.edu Chief Copy Editor Ivey Mellem copydesk@sundial.csun.edu Copy Editors Munina Lam Sarah Shabbar copydesk@sundial.csun.edu A&E Editor Ivan Salinas ane@csun.edu Assistant A&E Editors Kayla Fernandez Deja Magee Moss ane@csun.edu Opinion Editor Raychel Stewart opinion@csun.edu Sports Editor Bryanna Winner sports_sundial@csun.edu Assistant Sports Editor Andres Soto sports_sundial@csun.edu Photo Editor Logan Bik photo@csun.edu Social Media Manager Natalie Fina sundialsocialmedia@sundial.csun.edu Graphic Designers Ewan McNeil Elaine Sanders Natalie Miranda Illustrator Joelena Despard Audio Editor Pejvauk Shahamat sundialpodcast@gmail.com Video Editors Andrea Esparza Elaine Sanders Noelle Nakamura Assistant Video Editor Brendan Reed-Crabb Web Developer Rugved Saurabh Darwhekar online@csun.edu
Ivey Mellem
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CONTENTS “Expert Explains: Fires in California” Page 4
Amalie Orme
Driving forces and the new normal for wildfires in the state.
“Surviving the Tick Fire” Page 10
Luis Vazquez
Despite losing his home, Robin Thompson won’t let that affect his academic and future goals.
“Hold the Electric Companies Accountable” Page 11
Raychel Stewart
Shutting off power won’t fix California’s wildfires problem.
Distribution Lead Brendan Reed-Crabb Distribution Nicole Benda Emilio Bravo Publisher Arvli Ward arvli.ward@csun.edu General Manager Jody Holcomb jody.doyle@csun.edu
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First to the Flames by Logan Bik
Cover photo by Tim Strong
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NOVEMBER 6 -12, 2019
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Expert Explains:
FIRES IN CALIFORNIA Driving forces and the new normal for wildfires in the state. Amalie Orme Professor of Geography and Environmental Studies Director of the Geomatics and Aerial Environmental Research Group at CSUN
The recent and ongoing fires in California have brought into focus the increase in fire size, frequency and level of destruction in the late 20th century and first two decades of the 21st century. Occurring in both the urbanwildland interface as well as remote forested areas of the 31st state, several factors explain this continuing phenomenon. Fire ignition can result from several sources
including lightning, sparks from power lines and transformers, and both accidental and intentional human-caused events. The physical elements contributing to the spread of fire are wind, the landscape of mountains and canyons serving as the backdrop to these regions, and the presence of flammable brush, trees, and structures. Recent fires in California have been driven by
high velocity compressional winds (Santa Ana winds) resulting from the juxtaposition of seasonal high pressure over eastern California, Nevada and Utah (The Great Basin) relative to low pressure at or near the California coast. As air flows from high pressure to low pressure, the strength of that flow (wind velocity) depends on the magnitude of the difference between these two pressure systems. This is the pressure gradient force. Enhancing a strong pressure gradient force is the compression of air as it moves over the mountains towards lowland areas and through canyons to further compress, increase in speed and remove moisture from the air. While Santa Ana winds create very dry atmospheric conditions, temperatures may increase through compression as well. Today’s wildland landscapes are characterized by shrub and tree species that are adapted to a climate that experiences warm, dry summers and cool, moist winters. However, this vegetation complex often remains unburned
for decades, serving as fuel sources with combustible oils that accumulate as part of the plants’ lifestyles. Once ignited and driven by persistent high wind velocities, airborne embers enhance the rapid spread of fire. Destructive fires in California, driven by wind, low atmospheric moisture, and the accumulation of vegetation over decades, is brought more sharply into focus by the continued encroachment of structures built in canyons and progressively into higher elevations in mountainous areas. As the density of structures continues to increase in what are essentially wildland areas, which burned in the 19th and very early 20th centuries, there is a further consideration looking to the future. As California is experiencing an apparent shift towards more variability in climate — the frequency of drought punctuated by years with enhanced rainfall, which in turn, promotes greater vegetation growth — the prospect of wind-driven fires, whether in the state’s forests or in the urban-wildland interface, is part of California’s new normal.
Illustration by Joelena Despard
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OPINION@CSUN.EDU
thesundial
California State University, Northridge
Deadline to submit your work is Nov. 21st! We are accepting digital short prose, poetry and stories (1,000 words or less). We are also looking for photography, illustrations, audio and video! m froir e l e d p eo st th. Senrt p ndto ploAger shouba y il orm gita you elf-p like m a tf Di , or r s uld ,f ds a platheitter othee wo n fried asArt ind Tw any et w h r t wi erve e is k, an n, ontern s s o u u s s oo ti e i tedit hahis isceb nFicn th c ne s r t Fa Fa o on rtiste fo am, ad, If it’sk! c ve r a m gr ttp e! or haut foe thensta, Wa bsit ur w s I lr e o p b h aporld es. Tfromumbnal wee y a di w iec ts T rso to s e mer theterp pos from l ia ve as istic try our p c Soall ont m art poe n y ta ur d eve ins s yoes anork, u ri w stohed lis
Submit to sundial.csun.edu/arts-lit-submit/. Fill out a brief form and tell us about the story behind the artwork you’re submitting and anything relevant to your artistry! You can also tag us @thesundial on the post you’d like to contribute! If you have any questions, direct them to ane@csun.edu. #sundial #ArtsandLit #ArtintheDigitalAge 1 day ago
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A LOOK AT WILDFIRES FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF THE FIRST RESPONDERS WHO FIGHT THEM. Story by Logan Bik
Carlos Barrera, LA Country firefighter, pulls the hose to fight the flames of the Saddleridge Fire in the Oakridge Estates on Oct. 11. Photo by Logan Bik.
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CITY@CSUN.EDU
A DC-10 tanker drops Phos-Chek on the Easy Fire near Tierra Rejada Road in Simi Valley on Oct. 30. Photo by Tim Strong.
Firefighters working to put out hot spots from the Easy Fire on Oct. 30. Three firefighters were injured during this fire. Photo by Tim Strong.
One of the firefighters as he walks away from putting out small flames left by the Saddleridge Fire in the Oakridge Estates. The fire department had been to this Estate three times in 24 hours fighting fires. Photo by Logan Bik.
One of the many firefighters in Oakridge Estates putting out Saddleridge Fire flames. This fireman has a pinkish red residue on his uniform and helmet from fire retardant dumped from either a helicopter or airplane. Photo by Logan Bik.
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LA County firefighters working to put out any hot spots left by the Saddleridge Fire in the Oakridge Estates. Photo by Logan Bik.
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Saddletree Ranch amongst the charred ground and closed 210 freeway due to the Saddleridge Fire on Oct. 11. The fire burned 8,799 acres. Photo by Logan Bik.
Cal Fire firefighters work to fight flames near Tierra Rejada Road in Simi Valley on Oct. 30 from the Easy Fire. The fire burned a total of 1,806 acres and injured three firefighters. Photo by Tim Strong.
Firefighters examine the Easy Fire’s path in order to fight potential flames near Tierra Rejada Road in Simi Valley on Oct. 30. This fire burned 1,806 acres and destroyed two structures. Photo by Tim Strong.
Flames begin to start up from a hot spot in Oakridge Estates during the Saddleridge Fire on Oct. 11. Photo by Logan Bik.
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One of the men on scene working to put out hot spots from the Saddleridge Fire on Oct. 11. Photo by Logan Bik.
CITY@CSUN.EDU
A Cal Fire Skycrane makes a water drop on the Getty Fire near Interstate 405 on Oct. 28. Photo by Tim Strong.
Living in Los Angeles, you will have noticed the constant smoke that has been filling our air this past month as residents experienced different hardships during the fires. Some had their homes damaged or destroyed, while others were working to stop the flames. Documenting the wildfires this season has provided me an inside look into the struggles firefighters face while out on duty. With back-to-back fires this season, most of the first responders had been working on little to no sleep, and most of them had not been home in over five days. With the high winds in October the fires have been spreading out of control, causing fires to spark up all over the Los Angeles area. Walking back from a cleanup section of the Getty Fire, I passed by numerous fire engines parked on the side of a residential neighborhood that was partially burned. The fire crew had been on scene for most of the day and was working to put out hot spots that might spur up. Nearing 12 a.m. a firefighter was sitting on the steps of the truck with his head leaned up against the red engine. Helmet on the ground by his feet and mouth wide open, he was letting out the loudest snore I had heard in my life. It provided a small chuckle, but then made me realize how tired these firefighters really were and gave me insight into how hard they work to keep our cities safe.
SADDLERIDGE FIRE Size: 8,799 acres Firefighters injured: 8 Civilian deaths: 1 Structures damaged: 88 Structures destroyed: 19 Cause: Under active investigation Personnel: 1,047
GETTY FIRE Size: 745 acres Fire fighters injured: 5 Civilians injured: 0 Structures damaged: 15 Structures destroyed: 10 Cause: Caused by a tree branch that broke off and landed in nearby power lines during high winds Personnel: 195 Engines: 37
EASY FIRE Size: 1,806 acres Fire fighters injured: 3 Civilians injured: 0 Structures damaged: 0 Structures destroyed: 2 Cause: Under active investigation Personnel: 8 Engines: 2
A Los Angeles Fire Department helicopter makes a water drop near Crestwood Hills on Oct. 28 during the Getty Fire. The fire burned a total of 745 acres. Photo by Tim Strong.
One of the helicopters assisting the men on ground passes by firefighters on top of a mountain range in the hills near the Getty Center on Oct. 28. Photo by Tim Strong.
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SURVIVING THE TICK FIRE Despite losing his home, Robin Thompson won’t let that affect his academic and future goals. By Luis Vazquez / Top Photo by Logan Bik, Bottom Photo Courtesy of Robin Thompson CSUN freshman Robin Thompson watched the local news coverage of the Tick Fire on his phone as his dad picked him up from campus on Oct. 24. Originally thinking the fire was closer to Agua Dulce, reality set in when they saw clouds of smoke surrounding the hill they’ve called home for nearly 20 years in Canyon Country. Fearing the worst, Thompson and his dad approached their home and witnessed as his grandmother’s trailer was completely engulfed in flames. There was no possibility of escaping the fire. Luckily, his grandmother decided to leave with some friends earlier during the day. “Some call it divine intervention, my grandmother rarely leaves home. But somehow we were lucky everybody survived and only material possessions were lost,” Thompson said. With only the roof of their house on fire, the Thompsons decided to go inside and search for something salvageable. “My heart sank as a I saw the flames and heard my dogs barking inside,” Thompson said. He and his dad entered the home and managed to save their two dogs and a couple of musical instruments, but not much else. “The smoke was suffocating, I can still remember the smell and unbearable heat of the fire,” Thompson said. “We had no time to save anything, all of our family’s photos are gone. Those sentimentally valuable possessions are the hardest to recover.” After leaving the property, they reunited at Thompson’s mother’s hair salon, where her softball teammates welcomed them with food and comfort. The Thompson family was also offered
Robin Thompson holds his guitar on Nov. 5, having grabbed it as he evacuated his home during the Tick Fire. The guitar was gifted to his father when he was 15, and it was passed down to Thompson when he turned 15.
shelter from the fires for as long as necessary by members of the team. Thompson, a member of the Northridge Singers, has practiced music for nine years. Two years ago the Thompson family built a music
recording studio inside their home, which was destroyed in the fire. However, Thompson won’t let his musical aspirations go up in flames. Paul Smith, Assistant Professor of Music and Director of Choral
Activities and conductor of both the Chamber Singers and the Northridge Singers, praised Thompson’s determination. “Robin’s story is truly compelling. He came to me and pledged he would continue to practice even after this tragedy in order to be ready for Wednesday’s night performance at the Soraya Hall,” he said. Smith says that he was amazed when Thompson reached out to him regarding being at practice, noticing that despite the hardships he was going through, he was still willing to come out. Thompson intends to perform in the University Chorus and Northridge Singers’ performance on Nov. 6 at the Soraya, where the group will be performing G. F. Handel’s “Messiah,” specifically “Part the First” and “Hallelujah.” “My family will be in attendance, I will sing for them,” Thompson said. “I will sing to cope with this tragedy. I believe in the power of music and its ability to heal.” Thompson’s community has responded in their time of need. A friend set up a GoFundMe page hoping to aid in the family’s recovery, collecting nearly $10,000 in less than one week. Many of the contributions were made by family and friends, including some of Thompson’s Canyon High School Choir teammates. “My family is eternally grateful for our friends and community which has blessed us with great support during this fire,” Thompson said. “It fills my heart knowing there are always going to be people who care to help when everything seems lost.”
Thompson’s home burned to ashes after the Tick Fire’s flames took over on Oct. 24. According to LAFD, the fire destroyed 29 structures.
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CITY@CSUN.EDU
HOLD ELECTRIC COMPANIES ACCOUNTABLE Shutting off power won’t fix California’s wildfires problem by Raychel Stewart / Illustration by Joelena Despard Since the beginning of October, California residents have been experiencing public safety power shutoff s brought on by two major power companies, Pacific Gas and Electric and Southern California Edison, which had the potential to last up to five days at a time. Cutting off power came as a preemptive decision to prevent wildfires during the hot and dry weather which typically strikes California in late summer and early fall. The dry conditions, along with low humidity levels, can act as a lit match in the middle of a pile of leaves for California cities. Michael Lewis, PG&E’s senior vice president for electric operations, told The New York Times the decision to cut power “is to significantly reduce catastrophic wildfire risk to our customers and communities.” There have been 10 wildfires which have led to significant damage to homes and wildlife in northern and southern California since the beginning of October. Four of the fires were confirmed to have started because of faulty power lines,
SUNDIAL NOVEMBER 6 - 12, 2019
according to Cal Fire. However, residents across 27 counties (which begins to total up in the millions of people) were without power consecutively since Oct. 9. This has led to the closing of schools, businesses and gas stations around the state, according to reports by Time Magazine. Residents in Santa Clarita worried about food and medicine spoiling in refrigerators while other residents scrambled from business to business looking for ways to charge their oxygen supplies, according to sources who spoke with reporters from the Santa Clarita Valley Signal. This has prompted many Californians to ask: Are the power outages worth the risk? The 2018 Camp Fire in Butte County was ignited by faulty PG&E equipment and led to the deaths of 85 people and was reported to be the deadliest wildfire in California according to Cal Fire. PG&E was responsible for $30 billion in liability costs, according to Time, which caused the company to file bankruptcy. This year, a malfunctioning PG&E power line
was near the origin of the 75,000-acre Kincade fire, which has continued to scorch Sonoma County for the last few weeks. The decision to cut off power was not made in the interest of California consumers. The decision was made in the interest of PG&E and SCE profit. Rather than fixing faulty or malfunctioning power lines, these companies chose to avoid the problem altogether by flipping the off switch. Are California residents now expected to deal with power outages during fire season? Instead of waiting for disaster to strike, PG&E and SCE must be held accountable and implement a permanent fix to the issue rather than a temporary one for the sake of saving money.
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