Disney Legend Joe Rohde Explains the Wind Phenomena Fueling the California Wildfires
As wildfires continue to wreak havoc across California, the world’s attention has been turned to the Golden State.
The images coming out of Los Angeles are harrowing, and for those of us who are not from the region, the whole concept of wildfires can be confusing.
Photo: KGET
After sharing his connection to California wildfires late last night, Disney Legend Joe Rohde took to Instagram to explain how the wildfires spread.
The Unique Wind Conditions Fueling the Fires
The destruction of the current wildfires has been exasperated by two unique wind conditions.
The first is the Santa Ana winds, which originate in the desert and gain heat as they rush towards Southern California.
Photo: Fox Weather
“We have had a very dry year, but these winds suck all the remaining moisture out of everything they touch, and most of what grows out here is dry and full of creosote and oils as an adaptation to dry weather,” Rohde explained.
Photo: The Independent
“We don’t really have forests in the way that other parts of the country do. Most of what grows here is a low thick, highly flammable scrub that regrows quickly after each fire, providing fuel for the next one.”
What Is a Mountain Wave?
According to Rohde, the fires have also been fanned by a rare phenomenon called a mountain wave.
The phenomenon winds hit a mountain range perpendicular to the mass and become compressed. They can then reach speeds of over 100 miles per hour.
Photo Boldmethod
“This second category of wind also accompanied these fires. This is unfightable. Embers can travel over a mile in less than a minute, over your head and start a fire behind you. Flames can lie down flat and shoot between two houses and torch house on the other side of the street,” Rohde continued.
Assessing the situation, the Disney Legend concluded, “There is nothing anyone can do.”
You can read his full post below.
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