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January 10, 2025

Southern California wildfires: A growing threat in unlikely months

Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain
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Credit: Pixabay/CC0 Public Domain

January isn't typically associated with the fire season in Southern California, but Virginia Tech wildfire experts warn that this year's conditions are anything but typical.

"Even in the winter months, the risks are rising," Virginia Tech fire ecology and management expert Adam Coates explains. "The region's coastal shrublands are inherently prone to fire and have unpredictable weather patterns, so residents need to understand that nothing can completely prevent all wildfires."

Coates said low , dry conditions, and high winds have combined to create extreme fire behavior. "This makes suppression efforts both dangerous and difficult, and the unpredictability is a reminder that wildfire season doesn't follow the calendar anymore."

How can communities prepare?

For homeowners, wildfire resilience is an ongoing effort, Coates says. "It's not just about preventing wildfires, it's about preparing to survive them and recover quickly." The best ways to build wildfire resilience include:

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The role of utility companies in wildfire prevention

As wildfires become more frequent and severe, it's not just on residents and first responders. Ali Mehrizi-Sani, a Virginia Tech electrical engineering professor, explains that utility companies have a vital role in preventing wildfires.

"It's important that utility companies invest in proactive, , such as undergrounding , conducting frequent equipment inspections, and using smarter technologies to detect faults before they can cause wildfires," says Mehrizi-Sani.

Coordinated power shutoffs could help control the spread of wildfire, Mehrizi-Sani says. "These shutoffs rely on models that assess potential wildfire spread and the specific risks of keeping certain power lines energized. Based on this data, power providers decide when and where to shut off lines to reduce hazard while still providing power to other areas."

Mehrizi-Sani, who researches these methods, says downed power lines contribute to wildfires in two ways. "Directly, they can generate sparks that ignite dry vegetation like grass, trees, and shrubs, especially when spread embers over large areas. Indirectly, downed lines interfere with firefighting efforts by disrupting electricity and water supplies."

Why communities need to adapt

With wildfires becoming more frequent and intense, the need for communities to adapt is greater than ever.

"This is not just a problem for homeowners or land management agencies to solve alone," Coates says. "We need utility companies, local governments, and residents to work together."

"While individuals can take many steps to prepare their homes and communities, utilities also have a crucial role," Mehrizi-Sani says. "By investing in better technology and taking steps to mitigate risk, they can help prevent wildfires from even starting."

Provided by Virginia Tech

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Get Instant Summarized Text (GIST)

Southern California faces increasing wildfire risks even in winter due to low relative humidity, dry conditions, and high winds. Communities can enhance resilience by creating defensible spaces, using fire-resistant materials, and ensuring effective evacuation plans. Utility companies play a crucial role by investing in preventive measures like undergrounding power lines and conducting power shutoffs to mitigate wildfire hazards. Collaboration among residents, governments, and utilities is essential for effective wildfire management.

This summary was automatically generated using LLM.