So far this year, Cal Fire crews have responded to more than 5,300 wildfires. That's nearly 20% more than average. And state officials say the threat of new fires isn't over.
"Even though the calendar says 'October' fire danger level is high. We want people to be prepared."
Daniel Berlant is with Cal Fire. He says last year's dry
winter left vegetation with very little water content.
"This year, the moisture-level in the grass, the brush and
the timber has been incredibly dry. It's because of those dry
conditions and that lack of water inside the plants that allows
them to burn so quickly and also so rapidly."
Consequently, Berlant says, there's an above normal potential
for large wildfires this month in much of Northern California and
throughout Southern California…from Santa Barbara down to San Diego
County.
He says people should prepare for wildfires by having an
evacuation plan.