This fire season — especially last month — has been exceptionally challenging for our hospitals and the communities they support. From July 2023 to July 2024, Cal Fire’s number of reported fires spanning more than 20 acres increased from 38 to 174. In many Hospital Council sections, particularly in rural areas impacted by previous fires, the numbers have been even more dramatic as fires continue to grow. The Park Fire alone has spread to more than 429,000 acres, affecting Butte, Tehama, Shasta, and Plumas counties. Combined with other fires in the Hospital Council region — such as the Borel Fire, the Blue Fire, and the Crozier Fire — the number of acres affected in a short time frame is inconceivable.
Our communities suffer when wildfires happen. Throughout July and August, Hospital Council has been in regular contact with members of communities impacted by the fires. As mentioned previously, the fires have put a significant mental strain on staff, families, and other community members who had to evacuate their homes and relive the trauma of past wildfires. While no hospital facilities were evacuated or damaged in the fires, as of Aug. 26, the impact has been significant on staff availability and morale — particularly in the Northern Sierra, where recovery from the 2018 Paradise Fire is still ongoing.
Pacific Gas and Electric Company (PG&E) has been diligent about prioritizing power accessibility to hospitals, whether they are in a direct fire zone or impacted by potential power interruptions. PG&E is planning critical customer webinars; Hospital Council will share information about these with members when available. Additional webinars related to sustainability and energy reliability are being explored to assist hospitals in ensuring continuing power for their main campuses and all remote hospital structures. PG&E is also assisting hospitals in preparing for unplanned power interruptions due to weather, vehicle crashes, or infrastructure failure. Together, we can ensure that patients have access to reliable, high-quality health care whenever and wherever they need it, especially during times of crisis.