Cal Fire says that just over the past couple of weeks it has responded to more than 150 wildfires state-wide. Those fires have scorched about 600 acres.
Cal Fire’s Daniel Berlant says in normal years the agency would only have been on about 25 calls by now.
"This is a very unusual winter and unfortunately if we don't get rain anytime soon this couldbe a sign of what's to come."
~Daniel Berlant, Cal Fire
The state is hiring about 125 additional firefighters for Northern California. The summer fire season never really ended in Southern California. Fire air stations around the state also have not shut down for the winter.
“Conditions are very similar to what we would see in late spring and early summer. The grass and brush is very dry and it’s easily able to catch on fire.”
~Daniel Berlant, Cal Fire
Fire officials are warning that, just as in past heavy wildfire years, state budget reserves may have to be used to pay for extra staffing and equipment.
![0115_drought _banner 0115_drought _banner](/media/1081858/0115_drought_banner.jpg)
![In 2021, California saw everything from intense drought to torrential rain. Researchers and water agencies say that the future of the state’s drought depends on adapting to these shifts. Andrew Nixon / CapRadio; Associated Press, file](/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto,width=186,height=140,fit=crop/media/12262257/012622climatewhiplash-p.png)
January 28, 2022Last year, California saw everything from intense drought to torrential rain. Researchers and water agencies say that the future of the state’s drought depends on adapting to these shifts.
![Snow geese fly over the Sacramento River National Wildlife Refuge complex in Willows on Oct. 6, 2021. Photo by Nina Riggio for CalMatters](/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto,width=186,height=140,fit=crop/media/12261318/110221-birds-drought-nr-cm-517-p.jpg)
November 11, 2021As the drought dries up California’s wetlands, traveling birds such as ducks, geese and eagles are struggling to survive and breed. “This drought is bad. The odds are against us,” a state expert said.
![In this Sept. 23, 2013 file photo, water flows through fish diversion louvres at the John E. Skinner Delta Fish Protective Facility from the Clifton Court Forebay on its way to the Harvey O. Banks pumping plant, near Tracy, Calif. AP Photo/Rich Pedroncelli, file](/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto,width=186,height=140,fit=crop/media/12257099/021221_california-water-drought-p.jpg)
June 23, 2021Drought resilience depends on location but also extraordinary engineering — determining which California places are running out of water this year and which remain in good shape.
![Boaters fish on the Sacramento River outside of Isleton. Water supplies from the San Joaquin-Sacramento Delta are insufficient, so the state has warned thousands of users to halt pumping. Photo by Anne Wernikoff, CalMatters](/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto,width=186,height=140,fit=crop/media/12259071/061521_sanjoaquinsacramentoriverdelta_aw_sized_01_061721-p.jpg)
June 17, 2021About 4,300 users were issued notices to halt diversions from the Sacramento-San Joaquin Delta.
![Kayakers make a long trek to the water's edge at a drought-stricken Lake Mendocino, currently at 29% of normal capacity, in Ukiah, Calif., Sunday, May 23, 2021. California Gov. Gavin Newsom declared a drought emergency for most of the state. Josh Edelson / AP Photo](/cdn-cgi/image/format=auto,width=186,height=140,fit=crop/media/12258863/060521_droughtkayakersweb-p.jpg)
June 5, 2021Experts say the current drought is hotter and drier than previous ones, meaning water is evaporating faster.
Follow us for more stories like this
CapRadio provides a trusted source of news because of you. As a nonprofit organization, donations from people like you sustain the journalism that allows us to discover stories that are important to our audience. If you believe in what we do and support our mission, please donate today.
Donate Today