Southern California firefighting authorities provided their 2024 wildfire outlook Friday after a winter of record rainfall that left the region's hillsides green and covered in lush vegetation.
But that vegetation will soon dry out, becoming fuel for brush fires.
"As we all have witnessed, Mother Nature has complemented us with significant rainfall in Southern California in the last couple of years, which was very much needed throughout the state of California,'' Los Angeles County Fire Department Chief Anthony Marrone said at a multi-agency news conference Friday morning at the LACoFD's headquarters. "The rain produced large fields of re-vegetation throughout the area, and this year we saw areas that received nearly 200% more rain than usual. Unfortunately, this vegetation will soon dry out and become fuel for wildland fires, especially in the Santa Monica Mountains, the Santa Clarita Valley and the Antelope Valley."
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So far this year, 1,769 wildland fires were reported by Cal Fire, the state's firefighting agency. Last year at this time, the agency reported 1,605 fires. The five-year average is 2,295 fires.
The most dangerous months, historically, are ahead. Fall is typically the worst time of the year for wildfires in Southern California due to dry conditions and the infamous Santa Ana Winds, which have fanned some of the region's most destructive fires.
"Wildfire season might peak during certain months -- and that's why we are here today,'' Los Angeles Fire Department Chief Kristin Crowley said. "But the risk is present year-round. Together, we can make this brush fire season safer for everyone."
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Crowley urged residents, especially those in high-risk areas to create defensible space -- distance between property and bush that allows firefighters to make a stand and protect a home. That might mean removing trees that are touching or overhanging a house, removing vines and climbing plants, reducing or trimming hedges between homes, ridding the area of dead vegetation and other precautions.
"We have to understand… that will help your local fire service protect lives and property,'' Crowley said. "I just want to define what that is: it's a buffer that you create between a building on your property and the grasses, trees, shrubs, or wildland area that surround it."
Authorities also reminded resident to prepare an evacuation plan.
