Pace Of California Wildfires Well Ahead Of Disastrous 2020

SACRAMENTO, Calif. — This year so far, the number of California Wildfires and the quantity of area burnt in dry California considerably exceeds totals from the terrible wildfire year of 2020.

According to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection, there were 4,599 fires that burned 114.8 square miles (297 square kilometers) between January 1 and July 4.

Last year, 3,847 flames scorched 48.6 square miles over the same time period (126 square kilometers).

By the end of 2020, 9,917 wildfires had burned a total of 6,653 square miles (17,231 square kilometers), destroying or damaging 10,488 buildings. Thirty-three individuals were killed in the attack.

Cal Fire reported this week that hot and dry weather has fueled this year’s increasing wildfire activity, which has damaged or destroyed 91 properties.

Drought has gripped the whole state, with much of it being categorized as extreme or exceptional. The terrain is covered with very parched vegetation after a dry winter and early heat waves.

Two of the three big wildfires that have been blazing in the state’s far north for more than a week were more than 70% controlled on Wednesday, while the tenacious Salt Fire north of Redding was 25% contained. A large fire in northern Los Angeles County has been controlled at 88 percent.

A helicopter fighting the Lava Fire near Mount Shasta went down in a nearby lake on Wednesday afternoon. The pilot, however, was able to swim and escape, according to the US Forest Service. There were no passengers on board. The accident’s cause is still being investigated.