Lincoln Heights was full of hard working Black people. The town’s history dates back to the 1920s when Black Southerners migrated to the northern California town because they were promised something crucial.
The new Lincoln Heights residents were promised employment in a sawmill. The town had its own church, barbershop, nightclubs, and more. The town flourished, but soon many Black people left. However, there was one thing that stayed.
The sawmill company’s wood that still remained left it vulnerable to wildfires. Wildfires are something that we think don’t affect Black people, however, we are 50 percent more vulnerable to wildfires than other communities. Lincoln Heights would be an unfortunate example of that.
In 2020, a wildfire struck the town, leaving many families devastated. We need to learn all we can about wildfires.
Visit the U.S. Depart of Agriculture’s website, for tips on what to do in the midst of a wildfire. Being more knowledgeable and prepared for wildfires not only helps preserve Black life but better equips us with how to deal with nature.