Here's the outlook for Southern California wildfires in 2024 – NBC Los Angeles

Southern California fire authorities provided their wildfire outlook for 2024 on Friday, following a winter of record precipitation that left the region's rolling hills green and covered in lush vegetation.

But this vegetation will soon dry out, becoming fuel for bushfires.

“As we have all seen, Mother Nature has brought us significant rainfall in Southern California over the past two years, which was much needed across the state of California,” said Anthony Marrone, chief of Los Angeles County firefighters during a press conference. -agency press conference Friday morning at LACoFD headquarters. “The rain produced large fields of revegetation throughout the area, and this year we saw areas that received almost 200% more rain than usual. Unfortunately, this vegetation will soon dry out and fuel wildfires, especially in the Santa Monica Mountains, Santa Clarita Valley, and Antelope Valley.

So far this year, 1,769 wildfires have been reported by Cal Fire, the state's firefighting agency. Last year at this time, the agency reported 1,605 fires. The five-year average is 2,295 fires.

The most dangerous months, historically, are ahead. Fall is typically the worst time of year for wildfires in Southern California due to dry conditions and the infamous Santa Ana winds, which have fanned some of the region's most destructive fires.

“Wildfire season can peak in certain months – and that’s why we’re here today,” said Los Angeles Fire Chief Kristin Crowley. “But the risk is there all year round. Together we can make this bushfire season safer for everyone.”

Crowley urged residents, especially those in high-risk areas, to create defensible space – a distance between property and bushland that allows firefighters to take position and protect a home. This may involve removing trees that touch or overhang a house, removing vines and climbing plants, reducing or trimming hedges between houses, clearing the area of ​​dead vegetation and other precautions.

“We need to understand … that this will help your local fire department protect lives and property,” Crowley said. “I just want to define what it is: It's a buffer that you create between a building on your property and the grasses, trees, shrubs or wild areas around it.

Authorities also reminded residents to prepare an evacuation plan.