California Fire Leads To Evacuation

Zaca Wildfire Is One Of 47 Burning Across The Western United States About 200 people in Santa Barbara were evacuated Monday, and another 1,000 were asked to leave voluntarily as the Zaca fire approached homes and ranches. The 25,000-acre fire has been burning for two weeks in the Los Padres National Forest and San Rafael Wilderness. Fires like this one have been common this year -- 47 are now burning across the West -- after the winter ended without leaving much snow in mountains. Without runoff, mountain and valley forests remained dry and grew more dry as spring and summer have come without significant rainfall. Record heat across much of the region contributed to the conditions. When it comes to linking natural disasters to global warming, wildfire is as clear a case as scientists have. Unlike hurricanes, which still prompt debate among scientists about their link to global warming, wildfires can be expected to be more frequent and intense as mountain snowpacks dwindle and hot summers become more frequent. For a map of all fires being monitored by the federal government, click here. Your Photos Wildfire photos from around the world submitted by The Daily Green community to the Weird Weather Watch photoblog Tahoe fire, Sierra sunset Lake Tahoe Fire Griffith Park Brush Fire Griffith Park Brush Fire May 2007 Athens Wildfire Athens Wildfire 2 Florida on Fire