As the 2024 wildfire season approaches, experts predict a more intense season than usual for the United States. Parts of Lahaina, Maui are still recovering from last year’s catastrophic fires and communities in parts of the U.S. are already inhaling smoke from Canadian wildfires, the urgency to understand and prepare for potential wildfire impacts has never been greater.

The National Interagency Fire Center's (NIFC) latest outlook suggests that significant wildfire activity is expected across various regions, including portions of southern California, parts of the Southwest, and the Pacific Northwest. Factors contributing to this heightened risk include prolonged drought conditions, higher-than-average temperatures, and persistent winds.

According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), these conditions have set the stage for an early and aggressive wildfire season. “In May, above normal significant wildland fire potential is forecast for portions of southern California,” states the HHS Climate Change and Health Equity Office.

Read the full article about wildfire season by Monica Sanders at Forbes.