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North State unlikely to see wildfires like Southern California this winter

Butte Fire Safe Council
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Many Butte County residents are experiencing a familiar feeling as they watch wildfires rage across Southern California.

As wildfires tear through Los Angeles County, some North State residents are wondering about the risk of wildfire here. It’s unlikely, said Taylor Nilsson, executive director of the Butte Fire Safe Council.

“In the North State, we are in our winter period. While there’s still potentially a threat for wildfire here and there, it’s not nearly as severe,” Nilsson said.

In Southern California, there has been very little rainfall over the past year. Nilsson said it would be considered a drought year there. Meanwhile, Butte County has received a good amount of rain.

“There hasn’t been a lot of rainfall to provide moisture to the vegetation in those communities,” Nilsson said. “And additionally, Southern California typically around this time is impacted by the Santa Ana winds.”

Southern California experiences Santa Ana winds every year, and Nilsson said these can be a very strong driving force for wildfires.

When “wildfire season” starts for the North State 

The exact time CAL FIRE declares wildfire season changes annually, and is dependent on multiple factors, including precipitation. The risk in Butte County is generally highest around early spring through December.

Because risk is lower this time of year, Nilsson said, now is the time North State residents should prepare their homes for future wildfire by creating defensible space.

“Making sure that [vegetation is] spaced out, so that should anything catch on fire, it doesn’t cause other vegetation nearby to then catch on fire and spread,” Nilsson said. “That includes limbing up trees, typically removing trees, limiting the amount of brush, and then moving wood piles away from the home.”

The Butte Fire Safe Council has several programs that help protect homes. For example, they can send out a contractor who will come to a property and chip already downed trees at no cost.

Anyone who is low income, elderly or has a disability is encouraged to reach out to the Butte Fire Safe Council for assistance in creating a defensible space.

Anthony started his student internship with NSPR in October 2024. He is a freshman at Chico State University pursuing a Bachelor's degree in journalism.