The fire outlook for northern California shows above average significant wildfire potential for the months of June through September.
The outlook is updated at the beginning of the month, so the next outlook will be available July 1st. Â The map is put together by Predictive Services of the National Interagency Fire Center, based in Boise, Idaho.
Most of western Nevada is forecasted to have near average fire potential in June. However, it is also forecasted to be worse than normal for Eastern Nevada.
By July the fire risk worsens in Northern Nevada, and the potential for worse than normal fire danger expands into the Truckee Meadows. Washoe County is forecasted to have above average fire potential through at least September. The same can be said for Northern California. However, the month of June is also forecasted to be worse than normal in Northern California.
According to the Interagency Fire Center, as of May 31st, 2,412,214 acres have already burned throughout the country. There have also been 30,588 wildfires reported throughout the United States. This is 140% of average.
During the month of June, Northern California usually sees 11 large fires, but during the months of July and August it typically goes up to 15. September is usually slightly less dangerous with eight large fires being reported.
Fire danger goes up Wednesday afternoon as a wave moves through the Pacific Northwest and the pressure gradient tightens. A stronger low will move into the region late Friday into Saturday, increasing the fire threat even more, for a longer period of time. According to the Hot Dry Windy Index, there is a strong possibility of the index exceeding the 75th percentile both on Wednesday and Saturday. The index is based on ensembles from the GEFS model. The amount of heat, moisture, and wind affects the index.