“Southern California’s Monsoon Season Brings Temporary Relief from Heat Wave, But Sparks New Wildfires”
Over the weekend, thunderstorms from Southern California’s monsoon season provided a temporary relief from the scorching triple-digit heat wave that had been baking the region. However, the storms also sparked new wildfires, adding to the already devastating wildfire season in the state.
National Weather Service meteorologist Robbie Munroe explained that a marine layer is currently cooling off coastal regions, creating a significant temperature difference between coastal areas, valleys, and interior regions of Southern California. Highs near the ocean are expected to range from the upper 60s to 70 degrees, while inland areas like downtown Los Angeles and the San Fernando Valley will see temperatures closer to 80 and 90 degrees, respectively.
Unfortunately, the weekend thunderstorms also ignited fires across Southern California, with Kern County fire crews currently battling five fires across 17,915 acres. Brent Pascua, battalion chief of the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection’s Sacramento station, stated that four of these fires started on Saturday, with the White fire being caused by lightning and the Rancho fire suspected to be lightning-related. A portion of Interstate 5 near Lost Hills in Kern County was temporarily shut down due to the fires but has since reopened.
While one small fire in Riverside was quickly extinguished due to dampened conditions, Munroe warned that another heat wave is expected to hit Southern California starting this weekend. In landlocked valleys, temperatures could rise past 100 degrees, increasing the risk of more wildfires being sparked by the combination of heat and thunderstorms.
Firefighters across the state are on high alert, anticipating the upcoming weather conditions and fire threats. Pascua emphasized the potential danger of lightning strikes, which could remain dormant for days before igniting major fires. This year’s wildfire season has already burned nearly 220,000 acres, a stark increase from the same time last year.
The largest of the current blazes, the Lake fire in Santa Barbara County, is now at 34% containment. However, the fire has charred over 38,000 acres, leading to increased closures in the nearby Los Padres National Forest. Cal Fire has also assigned an incident team to the 11,000-acre Shelley fire in Sikiyou County, with only 3% containment achieved after two weeks of battling the blaze.
The extreme heat in California is making firefighting efforts even more challenging, with temperatures soaring above 100 degrees in some areas. The San Francisco Bay Area and Sacramento have experienced record-breaking heat, prompting heat advisories and warnings from the National Weather Service.
Pascua urged California residents to have emergency plans in place and to be prepared for a summer of heat and fire. Early evacuation is crucial in ensuring the safety of residents and allowing firefighters to effectively combat wildfires. As the state continues to face unprecedented wildfire activity, first responders are working tirelessly to protect lives and property from the ongoing threat.