Surprise January wildfires followed near-driest rainy season since 1800s

Record Dryness

Cal Fire crews responded to 28 brush fires of 10 or more acres statewide in January – almost one a day – ranging from small Santa Ana River bottom fires to the massive, deadly Palisades and Eaton fires in Los Angeles County. The pace was dizzying compared to the previous three Januarys, when firefighters could almost have hibernated.

Cause of Fires

Officials point to above-normal rainfall the previous two years followed by a historic, near-record-breaking dry spell. Then came the Santa Ana winds, which howled without stopping for days, further drying out vegetation and casting embers for miles that caused what might normally be small fires to grow.

Experts’ Analysis

“There was a 5-inch deficit of rain in Southern California at the time of these fires,” said Battalion Chief Jesse Torres, a Cal Fire spokesman in Sacramento. “With human-caused fires and high winds, the possibility of unwanted fires is extremely high. The fuel and vegetation in Southern California were receptive to burn and the conditions for wildfire were high as the high winds dropped relative humidities into the teens.”

Nearly Record Low Rainfall

According to Ryan Kittell, a meteorologist in the National Weather Service’s Los Angeles/Oxnard office, the dryness of the vegetation in January was “pretty rare.” The water year is measured from Oct. 1 to Sept. 30. Through Jan. 15, downtown Los Angeles, which normally records 5.56 inches of rain in a year, had received 0.16 inches of rain — the second-driest start to the water year since 1878. The record was set in 1904.

Causes of Brush Fires

Cal Fire has not announced the cause of most of the January fires and declined to speculate on whether an arsonist set any of them or address any other possible cause. However, an overwhelming number of brush fires are caused by humans in some manner.

Prevention is Key

Eric Sherwin, a spokesman for the San Bernardino County Fire Department, said it is important to maintain vehicles and not park on dry grass. Brush fires can also start from unattended campfires and sparks produced by mowing a rocky field, he said.

Year-Round Fire Season

The January’s spree of fires is a reminder of what officials have been saying for several years: That the so-called brush fire season, when conditions are optimal for ignition and rapid spread of flames, is year-round now. “We used to put our wildland gear on (the engine) during the summer months, then take it off in the winter,” said Orange County Fire Authority Capt. Thanh Nguyen, a firefighter for 29 years. “That gear became permanent because it could happen any time.”

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Conclusion

The unseasonable surge in brush fires in January is a stark reminder of the need for continued vigilance and precautions to prevent devastating wildfires. The dry conditions, coupled with high winds, create an ideal environment for fires to spread rapidly, putting lives and property at risk.

FAQs

Q: What was the cause of the January brush fires?
A: Officials have not announced the cause of most of the January fires, but it is believed that human activity was a significant contributing factor.

Q: Why was the dry spell so severe?
A: Above-normal rainfall the previous two years followed by a historic, near-record-breaking dry spell created conditions that were receptive to wildfire.

Q: Is it possible for fires to occur during the winter months?
A: Yes, the so-called brush fire season, when conditions are optimal for ignition and rapid spread of flames, is year-round now.

Q: What can I do to prevent brush fires?
A: Maintain vehicles and avoid parking on dry grass, do not leave campfires unattended, and take care when mowing or working near dry vegetation.