On top of the global pandemic, a wave of devastating wildfires has hit the West Coast. Fueled by hot, dry humid weather and electrical storms, fires in California, Oregon, and Washington have spread rapidly, killing people, destroying thousands of structures and acres, and diminishing air quality.
At one point, my family received an evacuation warning and I saw the air glow orange from fires not far from our house.
This past June, the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) reported that there were an estimated 19,500 fires nationwide as a result of fireworks. I urge California and other states to prohibit personal fireworks and sparklers in order to reduce fire danger.