Contributing Factors
Climate change is driving extreme weather conditions, making the fire seasons hotter, drier, and longer. Since 1990, the average temperatures in California have risen 2° Fahrenheit; the fire season has increased by about 75 days; and, the acres burned have accelerated from 400,000 to over four million annually.
The Diablo Windsare strong wind events that flow northeasterly over Northern California’s coast in the fall when the moisture content is at its lowest. These hot, dry winds can become quite strong with gusts reaching speeds of 40 miles per hour or higher, particularly along the ridges of the Coast Range.This effect is especially dangerous with respect to wildfires as it can enhance the updraft generated by the heat in such fires.
