SAVANNAH, Ga (WSAV) – Devastating fire conditions continue in Southern California, with critical fire danger only now starting to subside. The key question is: why have these fires been so much more destructive this year compared to previous ones? The answer lies in the weather. To understand the severity of the fires, we can look at Southern California's rain totals leading up to this disaster. Typically, California’s rainy season spans from December to March. February and March of this past year, 2024, saw above-average rainfall, with February recording a significant 10 inches and March just over 3 inches. This rain allowed for a surge in vegetation growth across the region, increasing fuel for future fires. However, by May, the rain virtually disappeared. Since then, only 0.16 inches of rain was recorded, with only 0.01 inches since December 1st, creating an unusually dry period for what should have been a wet season. The second key factor to consider is the Santa Ana winds, which typically occur between September and May. These powerful, dry winds blow from inland California to the coast (east to west) and are driven by high pressure building over the Great Basin, causing a clockwise flow along with an upper level low pressure system in the southwest causing a counter clockwise flow. This pressure difference allows the winds to surge in from the mountainside. When they do, they bring strong offshore gusts, low humidity, and warm air to Southern California as they descend. The combination of intense wind speeds, dry conditions, and elevated temperatures creates the perfect recipe for critical fire weather. The weather that ignited the fires on Tuesday, January 7th, was a dangerous mix of extremely dry conditions and the Santa Ana winds. With temperatures well above average, no rain in sight, and humidity at dangerously low levels, the stage was set for disaster. High pressure over the Great Basin and a low pressure system off the southwest coast triggered the Santa Ana winds, intensifying the already critical fire conditions. Red flag warnings, high wind alerts, and burn bans were in effect, but in such extreme conditions, even the smallest spark could trigger rapid, uncontrollable fires. Winds are expected to subside Thursday with humidity increasing Friday. Southern California is not expecting any significant rainfall in the near future, allowing the dry start to the region's typically rainy season and fire risks to continue. Here are some safety tips for how to prevent wildfires: