Santa Ana Winds Could Whip Up California's Wildfires

It has been a fairly typical wildfire season in California thus far this year. However, that could change in the coming weeks if the Santa Ana winds get going as predicted. Here is a look at this year's wildfire season to date and what to expect as it reaches its conclusion.

Latest Update on California Wildfire Season

Wildfire activity across California has heated up in recent weeks, sounding the alarm bells as what may still be in store. There have been over 6,000 wildfires confirmed in California in 2024 with nearly 1 million acres burned as a result. This number is trending slightly above average for this time in the season, according to figures from Cal Fire.

July's Park Fire in Northern California grew in size at such a great speed that it ended up landing as the fourth-largest wildfire in the history of the Golden State. This blaze burned through an area roughly the size of San Diego, injuring at least three firefighters and completely destroying about 700 structures.

The Line Fire is still burning in San Bernardino County in the southern part of the state. This fire has scorched about 44,000 acres as crews still work to get it under control. The Bridge Fire is burning to the west of the Line Fire, roaring through over 12 miles of land in one day recently.

What is most worrisome to wildfire experts is that all of these fires ignited and spread without the assistance of the seasonal Santa Ana and Diablo winds. Both of these wind types originate in the desert and send their gusts over the mountains and to the coastal areas. These winds are notorious for their ability to quickly create fires, sending a small blaze into a large inferno in a matter of minutes.

So what has fueled these massive fires in the absence of the seasonal wind patterns? Experts are blaming the high amount of plant growth throughout portions of the state for serving as the fuel for these fires to take root. Particularly wet winters the last two years have resulted in this new growth. This vegetation was then dried out during the record-breaking summer heat this year, turning it into tinder for the fires.

How dry has it been lately? According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, only 1% of California was under the designation of abnormally dry conditions earlier in the year. As of the beginning of October, over 70% of the state was listed as abnormally dry or worse.

Climate change is likely responsible for the roller coaster wet to dry pattern. The atmosphere works as a sponge absorbing more moisture as the planet warms. While this sponge effect can send more moisture to the ground in the form of heavy rain at times, it can also work to suck more of the moisture from the ground when conditions are dry.

The alternating pattern of hot and dry summers followed by wet winters creates the perfect storm for wildfires. Normally arid deserts that are not usually hotbeds of wildfire activity can turn into tinder boxes when brush begins to grow more abundantly following a wet winter. Invasive grasses are especially dangerous as they ignite easily and promote a swift spread of the flames.