Never-Ending Rash Of Fires

68 Large Wildfires Rage Across the U.S.: A September Surge

It’s September 7, 2025, and the U.S. wildfire crisis is intensifying, with 68 large wildfires burning across the nation and consuming more than 718,000 acres, per the National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC). Nearly 22,000 firefighters and support personnel are deployed, including 20 complex incident management teams, 467 crews, 1,117 engines, 121 helicopters, and six Army medevac helicopters. This marks a sharp increase from 55 large fires a week ago, driven by dry fuels, lightning events like California's 9,619 strikes in early September, and persistent drought. Year-to-date, 47,610 wildfires have scorched 4,219,774 acres—above the 10-year average. From California's Pyrite Fire in Jurupa Valley to the PNW's Emigrant Fire and BC's Kamloops incidents, the toll is mounting. Could land use agendas—gold mining, developer grabs, or insurance pullouts—be lurking? It’s too early to confirm, but patterns in gold-rich Tuolumne and industrial Riverside raise questions. Here’s the latest.

National Snapshot: 68 Large Fires, 718,000 Acres

The NIFC reports 68 large wildfires spanning multiple geographic areas, with high activity expected over the weekend, especially in the Northwest. All hotshot crews are engaged, and resources are stretched thin amid competition for personnel and equipment. Lightning remains a key igniter, as seen in California's TCU September Lightning Complex (13,966 acres, 22% contained) and BC's Kamloops Fire Centre (12 new fires from 160 strikes). The Pyrite Fire in Jurupa Valley, Riverside County, has grown to 400 acres with 5% containment, triggering evacuations in zones JUR-0017 through JUR-0036, per KTLA. No structures destroyed yet, but threats persist; shelters are open at Jurupa Valley High School.

Displacement Estimates: Nationwide, an estimated 45,000–58,000 people are permanently or indefinitely displaced by 2025 wildfires, or 0.013–0.017% of the U.S. population (~341 million), based on structure losses and evacuations. In California, 42,000–54,000 displaced (0.11–0.14% of ~39 million). The Pyrite Fire adds 1,000–3,000 displaced (0.0026–0.0077% of state, 0.0003–0.0009% of U.S.). PNW totals: 4,000–8,600 (0.013–0.028% of OR/WA’s 30 million). BC’s Kamloops: 100–300 (0.002–0.006% of BC’s 5.5 million), per Center for Disaster Philanthropy.

California’s Lightning Onslaught: Pyrite and Beyond

California’s 9,619 lightning strikes (September 1–2) fueled the Pyrite Fire and TCU Complex, including the 6-5 Fire (7,037 acres, 0% contained), which spared key structures in Chinese Camp but destroyed homes, per CAL FIRE. A Red Flag Warning through September 4 highlighted dry thunderstorms and fuels. Riverside County’s industrial zones (logistics hubs for Amazon) face post-fire risks, with 30% insurance non-renewals potentially lowering land values for investors, per Yale Climate Connections. No active gold mining here (unlike Tuolumne’s dormant 10.1 million ounces), but zoning favors urban growth, per Riverside County.

PNW and Kamloops: Lightning Strikes Continue

The PNW’s 19 wildfires burn over 100,000 acres, led by the Emigrant Fire (30,500 acres, 0% contained) in Lane County, displacing 500–1,500 (0.005–0.015% of Oregon’s 4.2 million), per That Oregon Life. Lane has negligible gold, with no mining activity, per Mindat.org. In BC’s Kamloops Fire Centre, 12 new fires from 160 lightning strikes include four Out of Control, displacing 100–300 (0.002–0.006% of BC’s 5.5 million), per BCWS. Kamloops’ high Fire Danger Rating persists post-heat wave.

Global Wildfires: A Worldwide Inferno

Globally, 102 million hectares burned by June, with Africa’s 53 million tied to land-clearing, per CTIF. Europe’s 1 million hectares (Spain, Portugal) face urban risks, per X posts. Africa’s gold regions see fires, but no direct mining link exists, per The Standard.

Land Use Agendas: Patterns to Watch

• Gold Mining: Tuolumne’s gold is dormant ($2,500/ounce prices could revive it), per Junior Mining Network. No mining in Jurupa/Riverside, Kamloops, or Lane; Africa’s land-clearing may mask agendas, per Mindat.org.
• Zoning Changes: Public in Riverside, Tuolumne, Lane, and Kamloops, per Riverside County, Tuolumne County, Lane County, BCWS.
• Tourism: No masking development, but may highlight land, per Visit Tuolumne, The Standard.
• Insurance Pullouts: 30% non-renewals in Riverside, Tuolumne, Lane, and Kamloops could invite investors, per Yale Climate Connections, AJG.

News and X Sentiment

Riverside news emphasizes evacuations, per KTLA. X posts blame lightning/dry conditions, not agendas, per X posts. Globally, Africa’s fires are linked to land-clearing, per CTIF.

2025 Wildfire Crisis

California: 42,000–54,000 displaced (0.11–0.14% of state). U.S.: 43,000–56,000 (0.013–0.016% of 341M). Canada: 5,000–10,000 (0.012–0.024% of 42M). Africa: Thousands displaced, per Newsweek, CTIF.

Stay Watchful

Evacuations remain—stay safe, avoid tall structures. No evidence ties these fires to agendas, but gold and land-clearing patterns demand scrutiny. Revisit by:

• Tracking mining: The Diggings.
• Checking zoning: Riverside County, Tuolumne.
• Searching X for “Pyrite Fire land use” or “Jurupa Valley land.”
• Monitoring assessor records.

Support relief and keep digging.

Sources: NIFC, CAL FIRE, BC Wildfire Service, KTLA, NBC News, CBS News, Newsweek, NOAA Climate.gov, Center for Disaster Philanthropy, That Oregon Life, Visit Tuolumne, Tuolumne County, The Diggings, Junior Mining Network, MyMotherLode, Yale Climate Connections, Reuters, Riverside County, U.S. Forest Service, Mindat.org, Lane County, CTIF, The Standard, AJG, X posts.