This year, San Diego has seen the rain. We’re still feeling the impacts of May gray (and soon June gloom) but drier weather is coming.
With this precipitation, plants are seeing significant growth. This has been giving us a lot of natural beauty, but when vegetation dries, the risk of wildfires grows. So experts are advising locals to take action early to reduce hazards.
🌱 What’s growing on?
The cooler spring months are the perfect time for locals to begin maintaining outdoor spaces — especially after this year’s high rainfall. San Diego County has seen grass grow up to 6 ft and weeds have been thriving. When this green life turns brown, it becomes fuel for wildfires.
An early start to clearing brush will make it easier for locals to maintain yards as the hotter, drier weather moves in. And this summer, plant growth could last longer than it has in prior years, because moisture levels in the ground may allow them to grow later into the season.
Pro tip: Remember, yard trimmings go in your green bins (per SB-1383).
Seven CAL FIRE officers who completed training to keep locals safe.
Photo via @calfiresandiego
📅 Get prepared
Historically, San Diego experiences most wildfires during summer and fall as the climate dries and Santa Ana winds become more prevalent. AccuWeather predicts wildfire activity to be low in California through June, but the overall season will be slightly above average. The county offers resources to help locals prevent and address emergencies:
- Be on the lookout for overgrown brush and report it to Get It Done or by calling 211 or the San Diego Fire-Rescue Department.
- Know where the risks are highest with the county’s Wildfire Hazard Map.
Recently, UC San Diego launched ALERTCalifornia — a public safety tool that provides access to 1,000+ cameras across California. This technology will allow fire-prone areas to be live streamed for data monitoring.
