Eight of the state’s ten largest fires on record-and twelve of the top twenty-have happened within the past five years. With fires happening throughout the winter months, a year-round fire season is swiftly becoming the norm.Ī drier and hotter climate isn’t just increasing the frequency of wildfires in California, it makes them harder to fight due to their increased size and intensity. Very dry winters followed by arid, hot summers have left soil and vegetation extremely dry and vulnerable to fires.Įven though peak wildfire season has not yet begun (as of April 2022), there have been a number of wildfires across Northern and Southern California so far.Ĭontinuing to examine the history of California wildfires, a key trend that emerges is the lengthening of the season. The 2020-21 drought has had a significant impact on California’s fires. 4 There were approximately 3,629 structures damaged or destroyed by the wildfires last year. Recent California Wildfire IncidentsĪccording to the incident stats from CAL FIRE, in 2021, a total of 8,835 fires were recorded across the state of California, burning a total of 2,568,948 acres. Not only does this increase the frequency of fires, but also increased the severity and amount of damage done.Īdditionally, decreased rainfall means that vegetation remains dryer and more flammable into the late fall and winter months, increasing the likelihood of extreme, late-season wildfires. How is the California Wildfire Season Changing?Ĭlimate change is having a serious impact on the prevalence of wildfires in California. The changes in climate are creating warmer, drier seasons, which are the ideal conditions for fires to burn. It is important to understand the risk factors for large, highly destructive fires. 3 Common reasons for wildfire ignition include unattended campfires, fallen power lines, discarded cigarettes, vehicle crashes or the use of equipment that creates sparks, like metal grinders. Human ActivityĪs much as 90% of wildfires are started by humans. For example, the Santa Ana winds in Southern California (also known as Diablo winds in Northern California) are strong, dry, downslope winds that blow from the mountains towards the coast and can cause wildfires to ignite and spread rapidly. Consequently, these winds reach up to 40 miles per hour and in some cases can reach up to hurricane strength, exponentially increasing in the speed of fire spread and triggering extreme destruction in short amounts of time. When winds are paired with hot, dry weather, they pose a major fire hazard. A recent report by the US Drought Monitor found more than 97% of the state is in severe or extreme drought, causing concern for the year ahead. Likewise, ongoing droughts in California pose a serious threat for fire season. Drought leaves trees, grasses, shrubs, and soil with very little moisture, making the landscape extremely flammable. Since wildfire thrives in hot and dry climates, drought elevates fire risk significantly. However, the impacts of climate change mean that fall precipitation is often delayed, which can keep fires burning throughout the winter months.

The fire season in California tends to end once the state receives heavy rainfall. 1 When Does the California Fire Season End? However, recent data show that, due to rising temperatures and decreased rainfall, the season is beginning earlier and ending later each year, approaching a year-round fire season.

The length of the fire season in any given year in California depends on summer temperatures, rainfall, and wind, with the most fires historically occurring between May and October. This explosive effect is due to a combination of dry vegetation from hot summer weather, and intense dry winds that blow through the state during fall.

While there may be fewer fires in September and October, the fires that do occur are far more destructive and burn through many more acres. It is a common misconception that the most dangerous time for fires in California is during July and August. However, the Southern California peak fire season starts earlier, beginning in late spring (May-June) and runs until October. When is the California Fire Season?įires are possible throughout the year in California, but the peak fire season in Northern California usually begins in June or July and runs through late October or November. The California fire season gets longer every year due to the climate crisis. In this guide, the Western Fire Chiefs Association (WFCA) answers common questions about the California fire season, including how long it lasts, its risk factors, and more. Everything You Need to Know About the California Fire Season

California fire map 2020