Dry winter portends busy California wildfire season (SF Chron)

[pinto]

Dry winter portends busy California wildfire season


Peter Fimrite
Saturday, May 12, 2012


There have already been more than 800 wildfires in California this year - nearly triple the number for this time last year - prompting state fire officials this week to warn residents to prepare for what could be an infernal summer.

A shortage of rain and snow has left the state unusually dry, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. Such dry conditions have led in the past to some of the state's worst fire seasons, which is one reason why Gov. Jerry Brown declared this week Wildfire Awareness Week.

"What we're seeing is unusual fire behavior and activity, and even though we've managed to keep most of them to between 2 and 5 acres, having that many this early is telling," said Daniel Berlant, the spokesman for Cal Fire. "When we get to the drier months, the combination of high temperatures, low humidity and dry conditions will create the perfect environment for large, devastating wildfires."


The cries of concern may sound like the same old doomsaying by Cal Fire, but fire experts and meteorologists insist there is something to it this year.

© 2012 Hearst Communications Inc.

http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2012/05/12/MNI51OEHI5.DTL

[EFerrari]

1. Heck, the wild stuff that was green at the end of April

up here in the SJ foothills is already mostly crunchy underfoot, pinto.

We can always buy hay for the horses but early May is so early to go on alert for fire. We're lucky. The nearest fire station is less than five minutes away. But what about folks even further up than we are?

People really need to have a plan this year and to know what it is and to coordinate with their neighbors.

[pinto]

2. The early alert is what caught my eye. Agree, a plan for those in fire prone areas is key.

I'm only 12 miles from the coast, so at low risk. Yet I remember that one big one here that came over the dry hills above town - fire crews and the long awaited marine layer saved the day.

[dana_b]

3. I live in the East Bay Area

and we are surrounded by foothills that get very brown and dry during the summer. Of course they are already turning brown because of our dry winter. Not looking forward to this summer at all!!

[petronius]

4. I wonder though, if a dry winter lessens the amount of fuel to feed

the really large fires. So although the season may be longer with more fires and acres burned, I wouldn't be surprised if the fires themselves are less intense and smaller...