Wildfire season is in full swing across California. State and federal fire fighters fought more than 270 wildfires last week alone. And Cal Fire's Daniel Berlant said he expects another busy stretch this week as temperatures rise into triple-digits in much of the state.
“It’s the combination of the dry conditions from the drought, the high temperatures, the low humidity, and then just a little bit of wind," Berlant said. "That makes the perfect ingredients for wildfire conditions.”
Berlant said Cal Fire has more staff on hand than it typically would this time of year because of the conditions.
During last week's heat spell in San Diego, crews responded to at least two fast-moving fires. The Wildcat Fire burned 171 acres near Ramona beginning on Wednesday. And crews knocked out the 10-acre Mercado Fire near Rancho San Diego Friday. Both blazes are 100 percent contained and damaged no structures.
To the north in San Bernadino County, the Lake Fire blackened 17,305 acres and was 21 percent contained as of Monday, according to the U.S. Forest Service. About 500 structures were threatened, but crews report no damage.
Statewide, Cal Fire has responded to nearly 2,500 wildfires since Jan. 1. That’s 50 percent higher than a typical year, but the fires burned about 5,000 fewer acres.
The state expects to spend more than $400 million fighting fires for the fiscal year that ends in a week – that's more than $100 million over budget.
The spending plan now on Governor Jerry Brown’s desk calls for just under $400 million for next fiscal year. It includes additional money for fire prevention, such as clearing brush.
