Late fall and winter tend to spawn catastrophic fires in California. In periods without significant precipitation, as has been the case this winter, the vegetation becomes extremely parched. And cooler weather in California coincides with the Santa Ana winds, the strong and dry gusts that blow west from Nevada and Utah into Southern California — and are linked to the region’s most devastating fires.
The deadliest and most destructive fire in California’s history, which destroyed the Northern California town of Paradise, broke out in mid-November 2018.
Are the fires expected to keep growing?
Extreme winds initially limited officials’ ability to fight the fires from helicopters, but as the gusts eased slightly late Wednesday, firefighters began to make incremental progress against some of the blazes. But the most destructive are still burning out of control. Firefighting resources are stretched, and in some places fire hydrants have begun to run dry amid the excessive demand.
Though winds began diminishing, they will be moderately strong in Los Angeles and Ventura Counties through Thursday, according to weather officials.
Fire officials are asking people who have not evacuated but live near the fires to stay alert, as the blazes are likely to move fast and unpredictably. And they are asking everyone in Southern California to beware of new fires.
Jacey Fortin contributed reporting.
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