We've had several fires start in my area (inland southern California, I-10 / 215 area, roughly) over the years due to 1) firebugs, 2) campfires, 3) spark when a mower/weed-whacker hit a rock, etc. Many fires get contained and then put out relatively quickly. Some start in wildland areas or quickly head into wildland areas where it's very difficult to get crews onsite. The "Apple" fire started east of me. Luckily, the wind is out of the west (or maybe south) so it headed away from communities and into the mountains. It was helped by extremely high temperatures, low humidity, not a hope for rain, and wind.
I heard that some of the current fires in the east Bay area were started by lightning. That's unusual for this time of year.
There are some controlled burns, but I don't think too many. Too difficult to control in the mountainous areas.?ÿ
I consider this year to be unusual in that we've already had quite a number of fires already. I think of fire season as starting in October...usually.?ÿ
Melita
