While the North Bay hills currently look lush and green, fire officials are warning that record-breaking heat in March has pushed wildfire conditions weeks ahead of schedule.
The Press Democrat reports even with a wet April, the unseasonably warm temperatures have caused grasses and underbrush to dry out at an alarming rate, creating “silent catastrophes” of combustible fuel.
In response, agencies like CalFire are ramping up staffing and specialized training earlier than usual, including drills for aerial firefighting teams. Santa Rosa officials may declare a formal fire season as early as mid-May, triggering mandatory weed abatement and burning restrictions.
Residents are being urged to act now by clearing defensible space and updating emergency alerts before the summer heat intensifies.
