Nearly 3,400 Acres In California Burned From Jan To Early May 2021; More Then 3X 5-Year Average

[hatrack]

The flames that burned more than 1,300 acres in Los Angeles County over the weekend served as a reminder to California residents that wildfires have become a constant threat rather than a concern relegated to the officially recognized wildfire season of the late summer and fall months. By early May, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (Cal Fire) reported at least 9,392 acres burned since the start of the year—more than three times the five-year average Cal Fire reported over the same time period in previous years. The number of acres burned so far this year exceeded 13,900 when combined with the number of burned acres reported by Cal Fire's partner agencies.

Experts note that wildfires existed long before humans inhabited California, but California's drought conditions play a significant role in them. Earlier this spring, California Governor Gavin Newsom announced a drought emergency for several counties due to warm temperatures, dry soil, rapid snowmelt and the resulting reduction in water available from major reservoirs.

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The National Weather Service predicted persisting drought for California and its neighboring states in the months ahead. The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) acknowledged the existence of above-average temperatures and below average precipitation along the West Coast in April. Earlier this spring, the head of the NOAA's prediction arm told the Associated Press it anticipated "an enhanced wildfire season" due to the warm and dry conditions reported throughout the country.

To address the arid conditions in California, Newsom proposed a $5.1 billion spending plan last week to support water infrastructure and provide funding for drought response. The spending package, which was announced as part of a $100 billion economic relief package known as the "California Comeback Plan," also came as Newsom proposed investing $2 billion in wildfire preparedness. "Climate change is here—and CA is more prepared than ever before to fight wildfires and make our forests more resilient," Newsom said in a tweet announcing his investment plans.

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https://www.newsweek.com/california-wildfires-triple-amid-drought-after-record-2020-fire-season-1592706

[RockRaven]

1. This past fall/winter was drier than Ben Shapiro's wife...

It's going to be a terrible summer, fire-wise...

Wearing N95 masks is going to be popular amongst our covidiots, finally, just for a different reason -- persistent, choking smoke.