Fewer Fires But More Acreage Burned in California so Far in 2024

The grass grew tall after the spring rains, making for dangerous conditions amid the heat and high winds. In the past 24 hours, 44 new fires ignited.

LOS OLIVOS, CALIFORNIA - JULY 06: A firefighting helicopter performs a water drop as the Lake Fire burns in Los Padres National Forest with evacuation warnings in the area on July 6, 2024 near Los Olivos, California. The wildfire in Santa Barbara County has scorched 4,600 acres amid a long-duration heat wave which is impacting much of California. Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images

Surrounded by Cal Fire helicopters and airplanes, California Gov. Gavin Newsom and wildfire officials announced July 10 that approximately 3,500 fires have occurred so far this year, burning about 207,000 acres.

“We are already experiencing a disproportionately high number of acres burned,” Mr. Newsom said during a press conference held in a hangar at McLellan Airport in Sacramento. “We’re seeing this unsurprisingly, predictably because of all the rains.”