With our free press under threat and federal funding for public media gone, your support matters more than ever. Help keep the LAist newsroom strong, become a monthly member or increase your support today.
This is an archival story that predates current editorial management.
This archival content was written, edited, and published prior to LAist's acquisition by its current owner, Southern California Public Radio ("SCPR"). Content, such as language choice and subject matter, in archival articles therefore may not align with SCPR's current editorial standards. To learn more about those standards and why we make this distinction, please click here .
The Drought Could Make This The Worst Fire Season Ever In California
A U.S. Forestry firefighter prepares to take on an out of control wildfire on May 2, 2013 in Camarillo, California.
(
Kevork Djansezian
/
Getty Images
)
After three years of drought, California could be dealing with its worst fire season ever this summer.
Vegetation is tinder-dry, serving as the perfect fuel for a particularly nasty fire season. There's still no rain in sight and above-average temperatures expected this summer. It's not even July, and this fire season is worse than most. Through this past weekend, fire crews throughout the state have already battled 2,100 wildfires that have burned 17,000 acres. That's well beyond the annual averages of 1,250 fires and 10,000 acres according to CAL FIRE .
Here in SoCal, we've had our share of major wildfires, including the massive Colby Fire back in January that burned 2,000 acres and destroyed five homes. That fire, like 90% of wildfires, was sparked by humans . The Etiwanda Fire at the end of April thankfully was less destructive, and it at least brought us a bit of viral gold when the infamous Shirtless Bro asked a reporter out on live TV.
"This winter we began experiencing conditions that we would usually see in August. In Southern California we never really transitioned out of fire season and in Northern California we began hiring seasonal firefighters several months earlier than normal," said Chief Ken Pimlott, director of CAL FIRE.
Sponsored message
"The situation is extremely serious—I’d say incendiary," punny JPL climatologist Bill Patzert told the Los Angeles Daily News .
However, not all experts think the dry conditions will necessarily lead to a worse fire season. According to the San Bernardino Sun , UC Riverside fire ecologist Richard Minnich said in a video statement, "If you explore statistically the relationship between the amount of rainfall and the amount of burning that takes place in Southern California wildlands, the relationship is, in fact, random."
Regardless, officials are taking no chances. Back in May, Governor Jerry Brown said the state had already appropriated $600 million for fighting fires but still worried it wouldn't be enough. CAL FIRE is recommending home owners in fire-prone areas to maintain a 100-foot 'defensible space' around their properties, and to avoid using machinery during the middle of the day that could spark a blaze, including lawnmowers and weed trimmers.
Oh, and that El Niño that could put all of our drought worries away this Fall? Don't get your hopes up, said Bill Patzert.
"It's the great wet hope. But the bad news is it's kind of backed off—so don't cash in your 401Ks and invest in umbrellas yet."
At LAist, we believe in journalism without censorship and the right of a free press to speak truth to those in power. Our hard-hitting watchdog reporting on local government, climate, and the ongoing housing and homelessness crisis is trustworthy, independent and freely accessible to everyone thanks to the support of readers like you.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
But the game has changed: Congress voted to eliminate funding for public media across the country. Here at LAist that means a loss of $1.7 million in our budget every year. We want to assure you that despite growing threats to free press and free speech, LAist will remain a voice you know and trust. Speaking frankly, the amount of reader support we receive will help determine how strong of a newsroom we are going forward to cover the important news in our community.
We’re asking you to stand up for independent reporting that will not be silenced. With more individuals like you supporting this public service, we can continue to provide essential coverage for Southern Californians that you can’t find anywhere else. Become a monthly member today to help sustain this mission.
Thank you for your generous support and belief in the value of independent news.
Senior Vice President News, Editor in Chief
