There is growing evidence that we could be in for another record-breaking fire season in California.
The Golden State’s wildland areas are much drier way earlier than usual, or what wildfire scientists call the fuel moisture content. That’s the level of dryness in brushes, shrubs and other plants that can easily burn.
Researchers measure the fuel moisture content every two weeks throughout the year, and what they've found so far this spring is not good.
Craig Clements, director of the Wildfire Interdisciplinary Research Center at San Jose State University told KCBS Radio the fuels are much drier than usual for this time of year, normally peak growing season.
"We’re already starting off at a deficit in our fuel moisture so it could indicate that (in) early summer we could have some much larger fires than we typically would," he said.
All this is because precipitation levels were low last year and, so far, only about 50% of normal in 2021. It's possible the shrubs' growth has been delayed because of the drought, but Clements said that is unlikely.
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