Fire Officials Ring in Fire Season

County Fire Chief Michael Dyer, flanked by members of state and other Southern California fire agencies, held the annual fire season opening press conference on Monday, a good four to six weeks earlier than normal. Due to the this year’s low rainfall, predicted high temperatures, and unusually dry vegetation, a busy and early fire season is predicted. The region has already experienced twice as many fires this season as last year at this time, said Dyer, explaining 90 percent of wildland blazes are sparked by human activity.