Fast Start to Wildfire Season: Why Golden State Faces Continued Risk

July 7, 2016 by Mark Bove

The 2016 U.S. wildfire season got off to an early start, with more than 2.1 million acres scorched through the end of June, the highest year-to-date total since 2011. Executive SummaryMunich Re America’s Research Meteorologist explains the conditions that have recently increased the risk of wildfires in California.

Executive Summary

Munich Re America's Research Meteorologist explains the conditions that have recently increased the risk of wildfires in California.

Although peak fire season in the western U.S. is not until early autumn, a combination of extreme heat and continued dry conditions across the American West fueled the early start. Fortunately, injuries and insured losses through midyear were minimal, as no major population centers were impacted.