In California, firefighters battled the massive Glass Fire in Napa and Sonoma counties overnight, while forecasters issued red flag warnings as hot, gusty winds returned to Northern California. Air quality across the region is once again deteriorating, with smoke pushing air quality to “unhealthy” levels in San Jose, Napa, Santa Rosa and other cities.
Nearly 4 million acres have burned, already doubling California’s previous record, even before October’s peak fire season. This year’s fires have been directly linked to 30 deaths across California, though a recent Stanford University study found as many as 3,000 residents have died as a result of inhaling toxic smoke from the blazes. Climate scientists warn this year’s fires could signal a “new normal” for California, as rising greenhouse gas emissions will continue to make the state hotter and drier.