Here’s what California’s wet winter means for wildfire season
California enjoyed a second consecutive winter of above-average precipitation this year, and many are hoping that will translate to another relatively calm fire season. But that’s far from a sure thing, even though the outlook for the next few months is good, experts say. In 2023, about 320,000 acres burned statewide due to wildfires, well below the five-year average of 1.7 million acres. Storms that winter played a part: Rain revitalized a landscape parched by years of drought and a colossal Sierra Nevada snowpack provided additional moisture as it melted through the warmer months. … The Northern California Geographic Area Coordination Center’s four-month outlook issued March 1 calls for minimal fire activity across Northern California from March through May.
Related articles:
- Los Angeles Times: Satellite photos show California turning green and snowy after winter storms
- Action News: Lake Oroville at 863 feet elevation
- Orange County Register: Flowing falls, rivers, full reservoirs: Rain brings a water wonderland to Southern California