™ & © 2023 Cable News Network, Inc., a Warner Bros. The fires have burned over 315,000 acres, or. Typically, fires have scorched 1.5 million acres of California by this point in the year, according to CAL FIRE.ĬNN’s Cheri Mossburg contributed to this story That’s how many wildfires have occurred across California this year, according to the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection. The winds can dry out vegetation, making it more fire prone, and fan the flames of existing fires.Ĭalifornia wildfires have been pacing well-below average so far this year, with over 315,000 acres burned as of October 31. Santa Ana winds can become quite strong as they rush down mountains, enhanced by canyons and passes that act as natural wind tunnels. Santa Ana winds, nicknamed for the Southern California mountain range, are seasonal hot and dry winds that develop when air flows from east to west - something it’s prone to do there in the fall and winter.Īs air travels from the high elevation of the mountains down to sea level, it is compressed by higher pressure, which heats it up and dries it out. Winds gusted over 50 mph near the fire, driven by a Santa Ana event which began over the weekend across parts of Southern California. Once fires form, gusty winds cause these fires to spread quickly and even blow their embers into the distance to start additional fires.

When relative humidity decreases, fires are easily triggered and sustained.

Relative humidity – a measure of how much moisture is in the air – was very low on Monday: around 5% to 15%, according to a forecast discussion from the National Weather Service in San Diego. PG&E electric and gas monthly bills hop over $290 mark to start 2024 Another 1,700 people have been warned that they might also have to evacuate. More than 1,100 homes have been evacuated in the area of the fire, affecting approximately 4,000 people, Riverside Fire spokesperson Maggie Cline De La Rosa told CNN. It has destroyed at least three structures and damaged six others.Įvacuation orders were first issued Monday afternoon but were quickly expanded Monday evening and then again on Tuesday morning. Just seven hours later, the fire had grown to more than 1,200 acres, according to Cal Fire.Īs of early Tuesday morning, the Highland Fire had charred 2,200 acres and was 0% contained, Cal Fire reported. PDT, near Aguanga, California, it was only 14 acres in size. When the fire – dubbed the Highland Fire – was first reported Monday at 12:37 p.m.

A vegetation fire in California’s Riverside County exploded in size as it was stoked by hot and dry Santa Ana winds, scorching multiple structures and forcing thousands of people to flee their homes.

Fires in california map