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Southern California wildfires: A growing threat in unlikely months

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 relative humidity, 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:

• Defensible space: Clearing away flammable vegetation and debris around homes that could fuel a fire.
• "Fire-resistant" landscaping: Choose drought-tolerant, "fire-resistant" plants (plants with lower combustibility and higher moisture content), that are easy to maintain and reduce the risk of a fire spreading to structures.
• Noncombustible building materials: Materials like metal, stone, and fire-resistant roofing reduce the likelihood of homes catching fire.
• Evacuation infrastructure: Communities must have adequate roads and access points for quick evacuation in case of an emergency.
• Access to water for suppression: Access to water supplies is essential for wildfire suppression.
• Clear emergency messaging: Have clear, real-time systems in place to help guide residents through evacuation and safety measures.

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, preventive measures, such as undergrounding power lines, 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 wildfire 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 high winds 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."