In December, wildfires are not uncommon in Southern California, but this year, the combination of extremely dry conditions and strong Santa Ana winds has created a dangerous situation. The Franklin Fire, which started on December 9, has already burned over 4,000 acres and destroyed at least seven structures. This is not the first fire to ignite under these conditions, as the Mountain Fire in November also grew rapidly and destroyed hundreds of structures. What is unusual, however, is the lack of rain in the region. Normally, the wet season would have already begun, but this year, there has been almost no precipitation. This means that the dry vegetation is highly susceptible to ignition from the strong winds. This is not just a problem in Southern California, as dry conditions can increase wildfire risk across the country. In fact, winter fires have already erupted in other parts of the West, such as the Marshall Fire in Colorado. It is clear that the combination of dry conditions and strong winds is a recipe for disaster, and it is important for communities to be prepared for these types of events.
