The National Interagency Fire Center (NIFC) has released the monthly outlook for significant wildfire potential for California.
Here's a look at some of the highlights:
- Near normal temperatures and precipitation through September.
- Above-normal snow pack gradually melting through July.
- Heavy fine fuel crop, completely cured at lower elevation in June. Above normal brush growth.
- Below normal amount of summer lightning due to prevailing SW-W flow.
- Above normal significant fire potential at lower elevations, Sacramento Valley/foothills and fine fuel-dominated areas of Mid Coast and Bay Area June through September, spreading north and including most middle elevations in August/September.
- Significant fire potential remaining quiet at high elevations.
Fire Potential for June and July
There is above normal fire potential for the Sacramento Valley and foothills. Downed trees from winter storms have caused a lot of dead fuel in these areas. Fine fuels and brush, especially at elevations below 3,000 feet, grew enough to produce a fourth-straight year of above-average fine fuel crop. Most of the fuels below 3,000 feet have now cured.
There is also above normal fire potential for the Bay Area and the Mid-Coastal range, except Mendocino National Forest.
Note: There is below normal fire potential for higher elevations because of a high elevation snowpack remains well above average.
Fire Potential for August and September
Normal significant wildland fire potential is expected across the North Coast and the northern Sierra.
All other areas can expect above normal fire potential.
Hawaii can expect above normal significant wildland fire potential during the enter outlook period.
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