Democracy Dies in Darkness
In California, the threat of wildfires is an ongoing concern. The reality of the situation is that most homes lost in wildfires are not due to direct contact with the advancing wall of flames.
A striking case occurred during the Summit Fire in Llano, California, on July 10, 2026, as photographed by Ethan Swope. Despite the blaze engulfing trees, the main danger for homes comes from elsewhere.
San Jose Spotlight is a nonprofit news organization dedicated to local political and business reporting in San Jose, Santa Clara County, and the South Bay.
The true destruction of homes often happens because of wind-driven embers. These embers can travel great distances ahead of the main fire front. They look for vulnerabilities in buildings and homes. Their likeliest targets include gutters, attic vents, and dry debris near living spaces.
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