"They are annual plants, they germinate, they grow and then they die before summer," said Denise Knapp, conservation and research director at the Santa Barbara Botanic Garden. "And there is all that biomass - fine, dry fuel - just ready to catch fire and spread fire."
In the last two years, California experienced abundant rain, fueling plant growth after years of drought. The growth includes invasive species that add to the fire hazard, emphasizing the state's increased wildfire risk.
"We have had two excellent years of growth. This year was even better because of the way the precipitation came, which was more conducive to vegetation being able to absorb it and use it," said Laurie Wayburn, co-founder of the Pacific Forest Trust.
Collection
[
|
...
]