The Bay Area is experiencing another heat wave this week, with temperatures projected to soar into the mid-90s in some East Bay cities.
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As temperatures rise, many are concerned about what this could mean for this year's fire season, after a particularly dry winter.
California is on track to enter its third year of drought, and according to the latest calculations by the U.S. Drought Monitor, just over 40% of the state is in extreme drought, compared to a little more than 30% a year ago.
As of right now, nearly the entire state population is living in a drought-affected area.
According to the drought monitor, the extreme drought designation means that those areas are facing "historically observed impacts," including, "fire season lasts year-round; fires occur in typically wet parts of state; burn bans are implemented," according to the site.
Other aspects of life have historically been affected too, such as the ability to continue farming and ranching or the risk to water sanitation.
The drought also has environmental implications, such as "low river levels impede fish migration and cause lower survival rates," according to the site.
It's likely that communities will also see changes in local wildlife, like the behavior of bears in the wake of last year's fire in the South Lake Tahoe region.
As the weather continues to warm, CAL FIRE is recommending state residents refresh themselves on fire safety.
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