Ongoing drought impacting firefighters across California

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Firefighters say the winter is historically a slower time of for firefighters but this year crews have already fought big wildfires which burned through thousands of acres.

In February crews battled a wildfire south of Mammoth Lakes which tore through more than 7,000 acres and destroyed 40 homes. Several local Cal Fire teams from our area were sent to fight the flames which are unusual for this time of year.

"If we are doing that in February, the potential as things dry out, it will only take a matter of weeks as winds and temperatures increases that the potential for wildland fires increases," said Captain Ryan Michaels.

Michaels says Cal Fire is considering hiring additional firefighters if we continue to see a lack of rain and temperatures keep heating up which creates the ideal scenario of burns.

"We might get notice that the following Monday we are ramping up so be ready," said Michaels.

Meteorologist Kevin Durfee with the National Weather Service says a three month precipitation outlook forecasts no real wet weather for the Central Valley.

"We had some showers going on in the sierra and down through the kern county mountain today but after today it looks fairly grim," said Durfee.

Firefighters say without that snowbank feeding out rivers and vegetation expect more dried up brush in the Valley which burns fast.