âFor our most vulnerable, disadvantaged communities, this also creates compounding health effects,â Ortiz said. âFirst thereâs the heat. Then for many families their water supplies are affected. And then itâs also the same heat and drought that are exacerbating wildfires and leading to smoky, unhealthy air quality.â
In northern California, the largest wildfire to hit the state this year broke out over the weekend and has so far consumed more than 140 sq miles (362 sq km). The Beckwourth Complex grew so fast and with such intensity that it whipped up a rare fire tornado â a swirling vortex of smoke and fire.