Camp Fire, California, USA (2018)

Maria lived in Paradise, a peaceful town surrounded by forests. That peace shattered when a spark from a faulty electrical line ignited dry trees. "It spread so fast. We barely had time to grab the kids and get in the car," Maria said. The firestorm engulfed the town, trapping cars in traffic as flames closed in on all sides.

By the time it was extinguished after 17 days, the Camp Fire had claimed 85 lives and burned 153,336 acres. Nearly the entire town of Paradise was reduced to ash. Over 1,000 firefighters worked day and night, using helicopters, bulldozers, and hoses to battle the blaze. Maria’s family survived but lost everything. "We’re rebuilding, but it will never be the same."

Lesson: Wildfires fueled by climate conditions can wipe out entire communities.