After winter storms, California can expect a late start to the wildfire season

The more moisture that's in the snowpack, the longer it typically takes to melt. That ensures that vegetation dries out more slowly and also helps to moderate the onset of warmer weather, said Brett Lutz, BLM meteorologist with Predictive Services Northern California Operations.

Years when we've had above-average snowpack have been correlated, especially across Northern California, with a general tendency for below-average acreage burned, Lutz said.

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