Record Temperatures To Accompany Santa Ana Wind Conditions In The ‘Roasted State’
California is to wildfires what hurricanes have been to Louisiana in 2020.
The latter has been pounded by two hurricanes within a matter of weeks and the former has had a record number of acres burned by wildfires, with more possibly on the way this week.
A high pressure system is over the Golden State – which is more like the Roasted State these days – with temperatures reaching the upper 80s and even mid-90s by the coast and triple digits inland. And with that heat means the possibility of even more wildfires.
The October temperatures are a whopping 20 degrees above normal. In fire-raged Napa Valley, this week’s temperatures will reach a scorching 94 degrees.
In Southern California, the high pressure system has brought with it a condition known as the Santa Anas, which is a change in direction of the winds from the cool ocean breezes to the the hot desert winds. Combine those winds with high temperatures and you have an excellent breeding ground for wildfires.
There’s nothing Californians can do about it, of course, except to prepare for the worst and hope for the best.
Many wildfires are still burning from the last heatwave. The wildfires have, so far, caused as much as $10 billion in damages, according to some economists. Family-run wineries have been destroyed in Sonoma County and Napa Valley.
California is susceptible to so many fires because the state has a lot of forests and brush. Contrary to popular belief, it’s not all beaches, cities and celebrities. There are a lot of trees and brush areas that can easily catch on fire.
And while California is more thought of for having ocean waves than heatwaves, this year has proven to be different and it continues into October. At least in Louisiana, the hurricane season has a beginning and ending in a fairly short three-to four-month time period. In California, the wildfire season runs for some seven to eight months and could continue into December.
PCH just reopened to traffic and some of the businesses are reopening or announcing reopenings this summer.
Good overview of the current heatwave and wildfire risks. Curious, does the article mention if local authorities have updated evacuation plans or any new fire prevention measures given the extended wildfire season? Thanks!