California is on pace for its worst wildfire year in recent memory, and SoCal is mostly to blame

California is currently experiencing a significant increase in wildfire activity, burning over 220,000 acres as of mid-July, which is nearly 100,000 acres more than the five-year average for this time. The surge in fires includes severe incidents in Central and Southern California. Notably, fires such as the Palisades, Eaton, and Hughes in January have contributed to this spike. Northern California has had fewer fires, reflecting higher moisture levels in vegetation, but two significant fires have nonetheless occurred near the Oregon border.

As of mid-July, California has seen more than 220,000 acres burn this year, almost 100,000 acres more than the average over the last five years.

This year's spike in fire activity appears to be driven by several large fires across Central and Southern California, including three major fires that devastated parts of Los Angeles County in January.

Even without those unprecedented January fires - the Palisades, Eaton and Hughes - this year would still outpace the five-year average for this point in the season.

Northern California has had a relatively slow start to its peak fire season, though it has seen two fires grow to around 20,000 acres near the Oregon border.

Read at Los Angeles Times