Why the Wildfire Risk in Northern California Will Be Above Normal This Summer

BAY AREA, CA - Forecasters expect parts of northern California and the Great Basin in Nevada to face the most severe wildfire risk this summer, according to the latest report released Monday.

The summer 2017 fire outlook issued by the National Interagency Fire Center said heavy winter snow should delay the onset of significant fire activity in the high elevations.

However, the exceptional winter and early spring precipitation is spurring growth of fuel in the lower and middle elevations, the report said. That could become a problem when grasses, plants and trees dry out in July, forecasters said.

Last year, 8,600 square miles (22,300 square kilometers) were scorched across the United States, mostly in western states, according to reports.

California has experienced the most wildfire events since 1996, with 1,092.

Photo by Renee Schiavone