California’s Camp and Woolsey wildfires are now officially the deadliest in California state history. Sparked in early November 2018, these fires have claimed a documented 86 victims with over 1,000 people still missing. Family homes and businesses were destroyed, leaving many without a place to live and work. Air quality in California and surrounding areas has increased in toxicity. Prisoners have been employed to contain the fire for around $1 per day. Celebrities employed private firefighters to protect their homes. These wildfires paint a portrait of American advantage and disadvantage in ash and smoke.
Instructors, click on the link below to download this week’s lecture for use in your classroom. In addition to the resources provided below, the deck contains discussion questions, an in-class activity, an online activity, and assessment questions.
Download the PowerPoint Lecture Spark for California Wildfires
Learning Objective 1: Discuss the role of human activity in the prevalence and prevention of wildfires.
Learning Objective 2: Identify social factors that contribute and shape outcomes of individuals who experience wildfires.
Video
Additional Resources
“California wildfires: Nearly 1,000 unaccounted for in Camp Fire” (CBS News, Video/Text)
“Many California Farmworkers Forced To Stay Behind During The Wildfires: (NPR, Audio/Text)
Jeff Goodell, “Ryan Zinke Blames Radical Enviros for California Fires” (Rolling Stone, Text)
“Serving Time And Fighting California Wildfires” (NPR, Audio/Text)
Sarah Ruiz-Grossman, “Northern California’s Homeless Can’t Escape Wildfire Smoke” (Mother Jones, Text)
Lauren Lee White, “California’s Wildfires Are Exposing the Rotten Core of Capitalism” (Vice, Text)
Ray Chavez, “Living Through California’s Wildfire Nightmare” (Truth Out, Text)