Accumulated years of drought, magnificent trees get weak and susceptible to bark beetles, fungi, you name it. Contrary to what Mr. Tangerine says, the state is desperately trying to weed them out. Big budget, but not big enough. A humongous expanse of (largely federal) forests.
Perspective..... we've had air forces flying over the state for decades, looking for those who use (largely federal) forests for marijuana cultivation.
Big forest, dying trees, dry underbrush and grass. Homes increasingly built in remote areas, increasing frequency of fires due to societal issues (e.g., electrical needs, homeless, arsonists) related to increasing population density of state.
Paradise and surroundings are heartbreaking. Retired, homeless, single parent families, families who have moved here from out of state. As a kid, I sat in the San Fernando valley and watch the hills burn. It just happened. Nobody lived up there. Calabasis was a small place, and there was only one canyon in Malibu with homes. Etc. Fire department went up to protect Rocketdyne test platform, nothing else was up there.
The air quality thing is a fire/weather anomaly. It's sort of a once in a lifetime thing that has happened three years in a row. Reached "hazardous" in Davis this morning, where I'm supposed to be pole vaulting tomorrow.
(more resembles hurdling with a stick)
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