CALIFORNIA, USA — August is the peak of wildfire season for many areas in the West. During this time, there is an above-normal opportunity for wildfire development across much of Nothern California.
In fact, the latest wildfire risk report shows above-normal fire potential for areas in Northern California above 3,000 feet in elevation.
Reasons for the increase in wildfire potential?
- Dry brush and grasses, better known as fuels, are drier than average for this time of the year.
- Warmer and drier than average weather conditions are expected to continue into early fall.
- More dry lightning strikes coupled with dry fuels could very easily result in increased fire activity leading to large fires.
Much of the state is in some form of a drought
The U.S Drought Monitor shows Northern California ranging from Extreme Drought to Moderate Drought conditions. According to the Drought Monitor, "most of these areas have reached or dried beyond the seasonal peak reading of the normal curve, several weeks ahead of then peak extreme conditions typically occur."
These conditions along with continued hot temperatures will elevate the opportunity for fire weather as we head into the fall months.
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