WILDFIRES - Not Just Whistling Dixie
By Don Amador
August 10, 2023
As residents and property owners in the historic town of
Lahaina struggle to try and cope with the catastrophic wildfire-caused loss of
life, homes, and businesses owners (including
a life-long friend of mine) , I am reminded about similar wind-driven
firestorms that have impacted California and other western states over the last
15-20 years.
While the aforementioned losses are devastating and hard to process, the impacts from mega wildfires to public land access and recreation opportunity cannot be understated for the millions of people who visit federal areas for OHV and other forms of recreation with family and friends.
Having spent most of my personal life and professional
career recreating and working on federal OHV recreation areas impacted by intense
wildfires, I think it is important for those touched by these events to
understand the devastating long-term effects these fires can have on them.
Dixie Fire Impacts - Lassen NF
APA goes on to say that accidents or wildfires are
typically unexpected, sudden and overwhelming. For many people, there are no
outwardly visible signs of physical injury, but there can be nonetheless an
emotional toll. It is common for people who have experienced disaster to have
strong emotional reactions.
Health professionals at the Mayo Clinic state that
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) is a mental health condition that’s
triggered by a terrifying event — either experiencing it or witnessing it.
Symptoms may include flashbacks, nightmares and severe anxiety, as well as
uncontrollable thoughts about the event.
The Mayo Clinic also states that most people who go
through traumatic events may have temporary difficulty adjusting and coping,
but with time and good self-care, they usually get better. If the symptoms get
worse, last for months or even years, and interfere with your day-to-day
functioning, you may have PTSD.
Over the last year, I have had the privilege to talk with
residents, recreationists, and land managers who lived through the 2021 Dixie
Fire in northern California that burned through 963,309 acres of rural
communities, private timber property, and lands managed by the Forest Service
and other government agencies.
LINK TO NASA VIDEO OF DIXIE FIRE BURN PATH/TIMELINE
https://svs.gsfc.nasa.gov/4993/
Listening to their stories of courage in overcoming the
loss of a home or business and their resolve to rebuild and persevere was
stirring and inspires me to continue supporting pre and post fire forest health
and fuel mitigation projects and to help private sector non-profit post fire
recovery efforts of fire damaged recreation facilities.
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