Fewer Fires But More Acreage Burned in California so Far in 2024

Surrounded by Cal Fire helicopters and airplanes, California Gov. Gavin Newsom and wildfire officials announced July 10 that approximately 3,500 fires have occurred so far this year, burning about 207,000 acres. “We are already experiencing a disproportionately high number of acres burned,” Mr. Newsom said during a press conference held in a hangar at McLellan Airport in Sacramento. “We’re seeing this unsurprisingly, predictably because of all the rains.” Heavy, late rains led to dangerous conditions across the state, with now dry grass in some areas as high as five feet contributing to fast-spreading fires, he said. Forecasts for dry thunderstorms and lightning strikes in the Sierra Mountains this weekend could also pose a significant risk, according to the governor....