Don’t Let a Single Spark Rewrite the Story of the Season

Falling Right into the Peak of Fire Season!

Though we know fire season is year-round, historically, the first few weeks of September are a peak period for large wildfires in Southern California, with many major fires currently burning. The meteorological first day of Fall is Sept. 1^st, 2025. So are we “Falling” right into the peak of fire season https://binged.it/4n36OLm

Several recent and historic examples illustrate the consistent threat of September wildfires.

2024: A series of major fires, including the Bridge, Line, and Airport fires, collectively burned over 100,000 acres across Los Angeles, San Bernardino, Orange, and Riverside counties.

The Line Fire began on September 5 in San Bernardino County, burning 43,978 acres. The Airport Fire started on September 9 in Orange County and burned over 23,000 acres. The Bridge Fire ignited on September 8 in the Angeles National Forest, consuming nearly 55,000 acres.

2020: The historically destructive 2020 fire season saw multiple major fires ignite in early September. The Bobcat Fire began on September 6 in the Angeles National Forest, burning 115,997 acres and threatening the Mount Wilson Observatory. The Creek Fire also ignited on September 4, though it occurred further north in the Sierra National Forest. 1970 The Laguna Fire burned 175,425 acres in San Diego County between September 26 and October 3, killing eight people.

Why September is a High-Risk Period

The climate conditions in Southern California create a high potential for large, intense wildfires during the summer and early fall.

• Dry vegetation: The region’s Mediterranean climate means the summer dry season peaks around July to September, with vegetation moisture at its lowest point.
• Santa Ana winds: While these hot, dry winds are most notorious in October, the conditions that cause large fires are prevalent throughout the dry season and can influence fires in September.
• Ignition sources: High temperatures and low humidity increase the risk of a fire spreading rapidly once ignited. Causes range from lightning, like the 2020 lightning complex fires, to human factors, such as accidental ignition or arson.

Northern California also has had it’s share of September fires. In 1988 was the 49er fire which burned 33,700 acres. 2015 the Valley Fire burned just over 76,000 acres. 2020 the Creek fire burned 379, 895 acres. 2020 the North Complex fire burned 318, 935 acres.

The peak of fire season is here. Dry landscapes, shifting winds, and rising temperatures mean one spark can change everything. But together, we can turn risk into readiness. Is your agency ready with policies up to date and personnel prepared both mentally and physically?

Sam DiGiovanna is a 40-year fire service veteran. He started with the Los Angeles County Fire Department, served as Fire Chief at the Monrovia Fire Department, and currently serves as Chief at the Verdugo Fire Academy in Glendale. He is Director at Large with the California State Firefighters Association, Associate Director for the California Training Officers Association and a consultant for www.Lexipol.com