In years past, the fire season in California began around June and continued until late October. But as noted during the Los Angeles County Fire Department’s (LACoFD) annual aircraft media day, the threat of major wildfires is now year-round.
The fire department displayed its suite of aerial firefighting resources at the Van Nuys Airport Sept. 5, which included a pair of Super Scoopers – amphibious aircraft that can scoop up water out of lakes, rivers, reservoirs or the ocean and be dropped over raging fires – that are leased from the government of Québec. This is the 32nd year the department has leased these aircraft.
The Santa Ana winds, which typically occur between September and May, are always a threat, especially with the lack of significant rainfall this past year, causing the dry vegetation throughout the county to be more prone to fires that could be easily spread by high winds.
The combination of dry vegetation and the powerful Santa Ana winds could result in potentially dangerous wildfires that could spread across thousands of acres in LA – as was the case in January when wildfires burned approximately 57,000 acres and destroyed thousands of homes and businesses from Altadena to Pacific Palisades.
“The deadly and destructive January 2025 Eaton and Palisades community conflagrations are vivid reminders of how we can never let our guard down,” said LACoFD Fire Chief Anthony Marrone. “These natural disasters were fueled by powerful 70 to 100 mile an hour hurricane-force winds not seen in the region since 2011. The Palisades and Eaton fires tragically claimed the lives of 31 people, destroying entire communities and leaving residents without loved ones, homes or livelihoods.”
The severity of the situation was echoed by LA County Board of Supervisors Chair Kathryn Barger, saying, “There is no longer [a] fire season because all of our communities are at risk year-round. … As we know, preparation and prevention are our best defense against wildfire.”
Marrone added that trying to fight fires in such harsh wind conditions is extremely difficult. He elaborated how they have cutoff wind speeds for their aircraft – not only due to the difficulty of flying in those conditions, but it could cause pilots who are trying to drop water on top of wildfires to miss their target.
He recalled when the Eaton Fire first began on Jan. 7, the winds were so strong that they couldn’t deploy their aerial resources. Without the use of aerial support, Marrone said that trying to extinguish a fire is akin to fighting with one hand tied behind your back.
Nonetheless, Marrone reaffirmed the fire department’s readiness to respond to the threat of wildfires. The two Super Scoopers are on an initial 90-day contract, but Marrone said it will most likely be extended. He added that he doesn’t plan on letting the contract expire until the county receives at least five to six inches of rain.
He also encouraged Angelenos to “harden their homes” and develop a wildfire action plan – information that is provided through LACoFD’s Ready! Set! Go! program.
Information provided on their website instructs homeowners on how they can create defensible spaces around their property, how to assemble an emergency supply kit and how to identify different travel routes from their home in case of an emergency.
Essential supplies for an emergency kit include a three-day supply of nonperishable food and three gallons of water per person, a change of clothing, prescriptions or special medications, a first aid kit, copies of important documents and sanitation supplies.
With the Santa Ana winds approaching, Marrone acknowledged the concern many Angelenos have that there could be a repeat of the January wildfires. He said the Southern California region, including LA County, is forecasted to have slightly higher fire potential than before. Still, he maintained that the LACoFD will remain alert and continue to augment its staffing.
“We’re going to pre-position our resources, and we’re going to be prepared in case a fire strikes, just like we were prepared on Jan. 7,” Marrone said.
For more information about Ready! Set! Go! and create your own wildfire action plan, visit https://fire.lacounty.gov/rsg/.