2024 may be ‘rough year’ for wildfires, Cal Fire warns
Nearly 90,000 acres have been scorched by more than 2,000 wildfires this year, according to Cal Fire.
According to the state’s fire protection agency, June, typically recognized as the beginning of California’s wildfire season, has been a very active month for firefighters, which suggests we may be in for a “rough year.”
“Californians are seeing first-hand fires that have been sparked across the state. If June is any indication, 2024 looks to be a busy fire year,” Cal Fire officials said in a news release issued Wednesday.
Cal Fire says it has registered 2,156 wildfires year to date, which are responsible for burning more than 89,500 acres and destroying at least 22 structures.
As of Wednesday, there are 14 active fires of at least 10 acres burning across California.
The Post Fire, which has burned more than 15,600 acres near Gorman, is among the most destructive of the early fire season.
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“Around 1,600 firefighters from 43 different crews have responded to the Post Fire, along with 26 water tankers, 13 bulldozers, 24 helicopters,” Cal Fire said. The fire has a current containment level of 39%.
Up north, firefighters are battling multiple brush fires that have already scorched thousands of acres.
The Sites Fire in Colusa County has destroyed more than 15,500 acres since it broke out Monday and has the potential to get “exponentially larger,” officials said. That fire is only 5% contained.
The Aero Fire in Calaveras County has burned 5,351 acres and is about 33% contained, and the Point Fire in Sonoma has burned about 1,200 acres and is about 50% contained.
One firefighter was injured battling the Sonoma County fire, but, thankfully, no deaths have been attributed to this year’s fires, officials said.
Cal Fire attributes the speed at which these fires spread to high winds, with some fires doubling in size overnight.
“Californians have come to realize that when you mix high winds with dry/hot conditions we have a recipe for disaster,” Cal Fire said.
Tim Edwards, president of Cal Fire Local 2881, said the state has given them “the tools to fight the fires we expect to see,” but he stressed that all firefighters will need to remain vigilant.
The California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection says it will continue to work “around the clock” with its federal and local partner agencies to keep Californians safe during a potentially active fire season.
For a complete list of active wildfires, including the total number of personnel assigned and current containment levels, click here.
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