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American Morning

Wildfire Season Flares Up in California

Aired May 21, 2001 - 09:18   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: In California, dry conditions mean the threat of an early fire season. Wildfires are burning now in at least two Northern California counties. We have more from CNN affiliate KRON.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

ERIC JOHNSTON, KRON REPORTER (voice-over): It took only minutes for a small brushfire to race up a hill in Nevada last year and consume two homes. The wind fanned the flames, but it was fueled by hot, dry brush.

(on camera): This year, the dry season is upon us even earlier than usual. Hillsides like this one, covered with dry vegetation, are especially vulnerable. You can actually see the danger growing as the hillsides turn browner. Fire officials say the moisture level in the vegetation is getting dangerously low, turning it into tinder.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We are about a month ahead of the schedule of what we are calling the curing of the grasses. As you drive around, you'll see that the hills are brown pretty much from the bottom to the top, and ready to support a fire moving through them, and normally this does not occur until early to mid-June.

JOHNSTON (voice-over): So, this year's wildfire season is shaping up to be long and hot, and this year there is an added danger. A sudden oak death has killed tens of thousands of trees across Northern California, creating more potential fuel for wildfires.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: This one is going to be longer, and the period of what we call the peak or most severe fire season is also going to be longer. So therefore, there is a greater chance of having significant or severe fires in that period.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

PHILLIPS: Once again, that was Eric Johnston from KRON in San Francisco.

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