New fires in California
In the scorching heat, several new forest and brush fires have broken out in Southern California. One of the largest ones has been burning since Friday in the Los Padres National Forest, a woodland area north of Santa Barbara, according to the "Los Angeles Times." The fire is spreading rapidly there. Drought and strong winds are fueling several other fires. Meteorologists reported a heat record for Southern California.
In times of drought, a heat wave with hot and dry winds can contribute to stronger and larger fires. In California, wildfires occur frequently. When the ground has been extremely dry for a long time and vegetation is significantly weakened, and then a heat wave comes, evapotranspiration cooling is lacking, so fires can burn more intensely.
According to the San Diego Weather Service, a temperature of 124 degrees Fahrenheit (51.11 degrees Celsius) was recorded in Palm Springs, about 150 kilometers east of Los Angeles. This surpassed the previous record of 123 degrees in the years 2021, 1995, and 1993.
A forest fire that broke out on Thursday, the national holiday of the USA, in Mariposa near the Yosemite National Park, was partially contained by the fire department. At one point, about 300 residents were evacuated. The closure of Highway 140, which leads to the national park, was lifted on Friday evening. Four buildings were destroyed by the fire, and three people were injured.
California Governor Gavin Newsom promised assistance to those affected by the fires. The Cal Fire fire department warned of increased fire danger not only in Southern California but also in wide areas of the central coast and in the northern part of the state.
Experts find the current heat unusual. "Normally, we get temperatures like this earlier in August," the "Los Angeles Times" quoted meteorologist Ryan Kittell as saying. "But even if this were August, it would still be at the upper end of temperature levels." Anyone seeking refuge from the heat at the beach must be prepared for high waves and rip currents, the report said.
The high temperatures and dry weather conditions have also ignited springs, causing small wildfires to spark in various parts of California. The new heat record in Palm Springs, reaching 124 degrees Fahrenheit, surpassed previous records set in 2021, 1995, and 1993. These extreme temperatures and weather conditions are exacerbating the spread of existing fires, such as the one in the Los Padres National Forest.
