How record-smashing heat invited infernos to the West
California’s average temperature of 79 degrees last month was 5.3 degrees above normal in the state for August. August heat will have “a carryover effect” in California, University of Colorado fire scientist Jennifer Balch said, making forests and grasslands drier than normal and primed for ignition when the state’s peak wildfire season begins next month with the arrival of strong winds.
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