California's reservoir water levels are being closely monitored two months before wildfire season, with officials looking at snowpack, weather forecasts, and forest conditions to gauge the risk of fires. However, a spokesperson for California's Department of Water Resources (DWR) downplayed the importance of reservoir levels in determining wildfire risk across the state.
"Reservoir levels don't have an impact on wildfire risk in California," the DWR official said. Instead, dry grasses and vegetation are more likely to ignite fires, elevating the risk of wildfires. Firefighters may occasionally pull water from reservoirs when fighting fires, but it depends on proximity.
State fire officials expect wildfire risk to remain near normal for the foreseeable future, according to a four-month outlook from the Wildfire Forecast and Threat Intelligence Integration Center (WFTIIC). The outlook notes that significant fire potential will be normal across the state for February through May, with data from the DWR playing an important role in the assessment.
The water level of all major reservoirs in California is currently at 100% or higher of their historical average, according to DWR data. Lake Cachuma in Southern California has the lowest levels, while Lake Oroville and New Melones Lake in Northern and Central California, respectively, are among the top performers.
Despite these numbers, January was abnormally dry, with snowpack levels at only 59% of average. However, national weather service predictions indicate a change in the state's weather pattern, with back-to-back storms expected to hit this week and into the weekend.
The Wildfire Forecast and Threat Intelligence Integration Center (WFTIIC) outlook notes that Northern California can expect more storms once March hits, while Southern California will face above-normal temperatures and below-normal precipitation. Fire threat in both regions is expected to remain near normal, although May may be a transitional month with increasing fire potential.
Overall, the data suggests that wildfire risk remains a concern in California, but the outlook indicates that it will not be as severe as previously anticipated.
"Reservoir levels don't have an impact on wildfire risk in California," the DWR official said. Instead, dry grasses and vegetation are more likely to ignite fires, elevating the risk of wildfires. Firefighters may occasionally pull water from reservoirs when fighting fires, but it depends on proximity.
State fire officials expect wildfire risk to remain near normal for the foreseeable future, according to a four-month outlook from the Wildfire Forecast and Threat Intelligence Integration Center (WFTIIC). The outlook notes that significant fire potential will be normal across the state for February through May, with data from the DWR playing an important role in the assessment.
The water level of all major reservoirs in California is currently at 100% or higher of their historical average, according to DWR data. Lake Cachuma in Southern California has the lowest levels, while Lake Oroville and New Melones Lake in Northern and Central California, respectively, are among the top performers.
Despite these numbers, January was abnormally dry, with snowpack levels at only 59% of average. However, national weather service predictions indicate a change in the state's weather pattern, with back-to-back storms expected to hit this week and into the weekend.
The Wildfire Forecast and Threat Intelligence Integration Center (WFTIIC) outlook notes that Northern California can expect more storms once March hits, while Southern California will face above-normal temperatures and below-normal precipitation. Fire threat in both regions is expected to remain near normal, although May may be a transitional month with increasing fire potential.
Overall, the data suggests that wildfire risk remains a concern in California, but the outlook indicates that it will not be as severe as previously anticipated.
... I mean, if we're already at 100% capacity and snowpack is only at 59%, doesn't that sound like a pretty big fire hazard waiting to happen? 
And what's with the dry grasses and stuff being more of an issue? Can't they just pull water from the reservoirs when needed? 
It seems kinda like we're just winging it without a solid plan in place.
It just seems weird to downplay something as basic as reservoir levels. I mean, what about all those folks who rely on those reservoirs for their daily lives? Don't they deserve some assurance that the water will be there when they need it? And now you're saying dry grasses and vegetation are more likely to ignite fires? That's a whole different can of worms... 
Fire politics, if you ask me! 
. Still, 100% of historical average or whatever that means... sounds like we're good to go 
guess that changes things a teensy bit. Back-to-back storms incoming? Better luck next time, CA 
.
. It seems kinda weird that officials are downplaying their importance. Maybe they're just trying to focus on other factors? But still, you gotta wonder if having more water around could help prevent some of these fires from getting outta control...
... isn't it always fire season at least a little bit somewhere in California by that point? But I guess we'll just have to wait and see how things play out.
. Like, even if the water level is at 100% or higher, which is crazy high btw 
, if the conditions are just right for a spark, you're still looking at trouble 
. And have you seen the numbers on Lake Cachuma lately? It's like, woah 
anyway, sounds like things might not be as bad as ppl thought, but still gotta stay vigilant 
... don't get me wrong, dry grasses and vegetation are def a bigger risk factor, but if you look at the overall picture, it's all about how much water is stored up before winter hits 
. I mean, 100% or higher of historical average? That's not just good luck, that's a deliberate effort to prepare for the worst 
... and if they're already pulling water from reservoirs when fires start, shouldn't we be paying more attention to the levels in the first place? 
. Still, these high reservoir levels give me hope that we might not be facing a monster fire season this year 
and now we got back-to-back storms comin' in 
. don't know what's more worrying, wildland fires or drought 
The WFTIIC outlook might say wildfire risk will remain near normal, but I think that's being way too optimistic 
.
Like they're just gonna magically make all these fires disappear or something. I get it, dry grasses and veg are more of a risk factor... but c'mon, you can't even use some of that stored water to, like, create a firebreak or something when needed? 
. And now we're expecting storms in Northern Cali, which should help a bit. But honestly, it feels like the weather pattern is still pretty unpredictable 
.