Intense October Heat Wave Raises Fire Risk in California

An intense heat wave sweeping across California is heightening fire risk and exacerbating poor air quality across the state, reports Grace Toohey for the Los Angeles Times.

The abnormally warm temperatures are drying out vegetation and reducing humidity levels, prompting utilities to shut off power in some areas to reduce fire risk. The “rare, late season heat” and a delayed rainy season could continue to pose a threat to the state. Most parts of the state are expecting temperatures 10 to 20 degrees higher than average, with officials warning residents to prevent heat-related illnesses by drinking fluids and staying in air-conditioned areas when possible.

According to UCLA climatologist Daniel Swain, “The warm and dry autumn that has already started to unfold and [is] likely to continue in the coming weeks will set the stage for an unusually late fire season across the interior West.” The heat wave could contribute to the spread of the still-burning Line Fire, a 43,000-acre fire that has been burning for a month in the mountains of San Bernardino County, east of Los Angeles.