By Mary O’KEEFE

As of Wednesday there were 5,362 wildfires burning in California covering a total of 354,878 acres burned, 16,344 structures destroyed and 31 fatalities, according to CalFire. 

The Gifford Fire in San Luis Obispo, Santa Barbara, which began on Aug. 1, as of Wednesday was 37% contained, the Mountain Fire that began on Aug. 11 is 30% contained and the Perez Fire, Aug. 12, is 0% contained. 

“Across both Northern and Southern California, spring 2025 was warmer and drier than normal. In Southern California, precipitation since October was about 70% of average, with consistently above-average temperatures in May. Northern California experienced below-normal rainfall, a notable heat wave at the end of May, and about 2,400 lightning strikes – well below the 10-year average. Snowpack in the north Sierra declined rapidly from 75%–80% of normal on May 1 to 20%–30% by month’s end. In both regions, dead fuel moisture was low, and live fuels at lower elevations cured quickly. Coastal marine layers are showing signs of weakening, especially in Southern California, which may contribute to increased fire risk in coastal zones,” according to CalFire.

The wildfire activity is trending above normal in both regions. Although fire season has been year round for quite some time, as September and October months approach they bring more hot, dry weather and Santa Ana winds. 

For those who have not “hardened” their homes, now is the time. Home hardening is making a house as fire resistant as possible. Something as simple as cleaning gutters can go a long way to protecting a house when embers travel from fires located miles away. The average ember can travel a little over a mile but with winds it can fly as far as 25 miles. 

CalFire offers a quick “home hardening self-assessment” online at https://tinyurl.com/ywe64nzc.

CVW will be looking at lessens learned from the January fires, Eaton and Palisades.