Wildfire Destroys Multiple Homes and Prompts Evacuation in Arizona

Summer has not even started in the US and already the nation is seeing another major wildfire, this time in Arizona.

Dubbed the Spur Fire, the blaze hit the copper-mining town of Bagdad just as it was experiencing 80 degree days this week. The Yavapai County Sheriff's Office began the immediate evacuation of the town's 1,500 people as the wildfire began to cause massive property damage.

Dozens of homes have already been consumed by the flames, as well as different mining infrastructure, power lines and fiber optic cables. The entire area is currently experiencing an emergency blackout and cut off from landline communications. Local firefighters are already on the scene and working to contain the spread, but forecasts indicate that the fire may reach a wider area before then.

Wildfire casts light on Arizona's rising temperature

The Spur Fire could be seen as yet another tragic example of how global warming has gradually resulted in a number of environment-related problems in the state. Rivers and reservoirs have been drying up in the last couple of decades, while two of its cities have experienced heat waves that have been the highest out of the entire country. This year, drought forecasts are expected to affect roughly 94% of the entire state.

It does not help that the Arizona government has also been at a growing center of climate action controversy. The recent decade has seen a steady reversal of many policies that once put the state as a pioneer in reducing greenhouse gas emissions.

Both climate experts and political analysts agree that the turbulent culture wars played at least some role in the shift of attitudes, along with the influence of right-wing lawmakers.

Also read: Rapid Warming in the Arctic Awakens 'Zombie Fires' That Refuse to Die

Arizona's wildfire destruction at heels of recount fiasco

Republican influence in Arizona has not just enabled policies that weakened the state's ability to promote climate action. Its mark on public opinion can be seen just by looking at the activities of many vocal right-wing organizations.

In fact, Jake Angeli, the far-right activist known infamously as the QAnon Shaman, hails from Arizona. And even until now, the same people are continuing a controversial election recount despite President Joe Biden now passing the 100-day mark in his term.

For years, Arizona Republicans have gained infamy among environmentalist groups for defending what they deem as indefensible. These include backing multi-billion dollar oil companies and passing laws aimed at culling vulnerable wildlife species. 

It is no secret that, despite the recent wildfires, some surveys show that one third of the voting population is still not fully convinced about climate change. This form of science denialism is one of the major obstacles facing climate action initiatives in America. The last four years of the Trump administration has seen an even greater resistance to campaigns from many pro-environment groups and causes.

It remains to be seen just how much damage the Spur Fire will tally. However, the more important question remains unanswered: Just how much will Arizona continue to pay in the face of an increasingly hotter planet?

Also read: 6 People Dead, Homes Damaged After Cyclone Yaas Ravaged Northeast India