This summer has already been breaking heat records across the world, it’s expected to become the hottest on average in the whole US. The worldwide phenomenon El Nino is back, and hotter than ever. 

La Nina and El Nino weather patterns blow in from the ocean off the west coast of the United States. La Nina tends to be colder, and El Nino is hotter. It switches back and forth every 3-10 years, and this year scientists predict El Nino is officially back. It’s associated with record breaking temperatures globally as the wind blows it across the world. 

2016 currently holds the record for the hottest El Nino on average, but scientists predict with El Nino strengthening this year, we will quickly overtake the record, especially considering all the new fossil fuels launched into the atmosphere since 2016. With the added gasses, it will increase the temperature and many communities are already facing the drastic effects of this weather pattern. 

New York is swamped with smoke blown in from Canada, which is currently lingering over the city. Other states along the Canadian border are also experiencing effects of the famous Canadian Fires. There are currently 426 active forest fires in Canada right now, however, it has cooled down a little, which allows firefighters to contain all but one.

Unfortunately this is not a good forecast for the US. The US also has plenty of active fires with the states Washington and Missouri leading the pack with Washington at 49 and Missouri at 39.  

With the heat strengthening this summer, fire danger is already at extreme across many parts of the country. Fire bans are going into effect, and people in hotter states are starting to feel the heat, as fires creep closer and closer to their houses. Hundreds of people have already been displaced, and record numbers of fires have already risen above the average. Fires in the backcountry have been banned, and many campers and backpackers are frustrated. 

Unfortunately the effects of causing a forest fire, would impact you for the rest of your life. You would spend the rest of your life trying to pay off the millions of dollars of land destruction that the fire burned down, and sadly there are lots of examples of teenagers causing fires that burned down people’s homes, and even killed people. 

For example, in Oregon a teenage boy threw fireworks into a famous gorge, the gorge caught fire, and burned down homes. The fire ravaged 48,000 acres. He was only 15 at the time, and he was sentenced to pay 36 million dollars and 5 years of community service. 

Right here in Washington, 3 boys were playing with fireworks in the woods. They accidentally started a fire, and now have to pay off over 2 million dollars of land damage. 

This is why it’s important to understand that climates are changing, and to be responsible with fire, especially with a heating world. Unless you want to spend the rest of your life paying off a debt because of one simple mistake.