Dry winter portends busy California wildfire season (SF Chron) [View all]

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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