The so-called Carr, CA wildfire that was sparked earlier this week has consumed more than 80,000 acres and 500 homes. Tragically, it’s also claimed five lives, including two firefighters and two young children along with their great-grandmother while they were preparing to evacuate. The forecast calls for continued hot, dry weather in the upcoming week. That’s bad news for the thousands of fire-fighting personnel who have only managed to contain five percent of the blaze so far.
The last few months have been almost totally dry around Redding. The last measurable rainfall recorded at Redding Airport was on May 25-26, and before that you have to go back to April 28th. Adding to that is the above-normal temperatures that have plagued much of the West for weeks. High temperatures in Redding have averaged over 103 degrees in the month of July (see graph above). On only three days was the high less than 96 degrees. The forecast calls for highs well above 100 degrees through the next week under sunny skies (forecast below).
A fire like the one raging near Redding is so large that it can create its own local weather effects. Pyrocumulus clouds created by large wildfires can tower tens of thousands of feet above the ground, inhibiting fire-fighting efforts and coordination from the air. The tremendous heat generated by large wildfires creates strong inflowing winds. These winds, combined with the updraft created by hot, rising air can cause fire whirlwinds in a process not much different than tornadoes! Lead photo courtesy USAF – Master Sgt. Christopher DeWitt.