A bone-dry environment combined with scorching temperatures and ample fuel — all consequences of climate change — is what allowed the Oak Fire to spread so rapidly from the moment of ignition, scientists tell ABC News.
July 26, 2022, 5:37 PMFirefighters work to defend a structure as flames from the Oak Fire approach in unincorporated Mariposa County, Calif., July 23, 2022.A bone-dry environment combined with scorching temperatures and ample fuel -- all consequences of climate change -- is what allowed thespread to more than 15,000
But the conditions that allowed the fire to detonate at such swift speeds remain, and are just a spark away from wreaking more havoc on the region. "Right as [the Oak Fire] started, there was a period of very, very low relative humidity levels in California," Burke said. "And I think that really contributed to drying out fuels and making this just a combustible scenario in which fires are gonna spread quickly."The humidity hovered between 5% and 10% at the time the Oak Fire gained traction, according to Cal Fire.
Fire burns near a Smokey the Bear fire warning sign as the Oak Fire burns through the area near Jerseydale, Calif., July 24, 2022.When the fire began, it "grew in all directions" and unusually, without the help of a high wind event, Burke said. While fires tend to grow uphill, this Oak Fire spread both uphill and downhill, making it less predictable and harder to contain, Dahl said.
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