Climate Change and Shifting Fire Seasons

Climate change is altering the traditional fire season in California, leading to longer and more intense wildfire risks, particularly during Santa Ana wind events in winter months. The expectation of a shorter and more intense wet season means that ecosystems are more susceptible to wildfires due to prolonged periods of dryness, as seen in recent years. The episode highlights how past wildfires, like the Thomas Fire, serve as indicators of what Californians may continue to face in an increasingly warming climate. Alongside climate changes, the irregular onset of rain and moisture in Southern California is raising concerns about the state’s vulnerability to severe wildfires even in the winter.