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CA Prepares for Early Wildfire Season Amidst Slashing of US Forest Service

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A Cal Fire firefighter from the Lassen-Modoc Unit watches as an air tanker makes a fire retardant drop on the Dixie Fire as trees burn on a hillside on August 18, 2021 near Janesville, California. (PATRICK T. FALLON/AFP via Getty Images)

Airdate: Monday, April 20 at 9 AM

California’s record-setting heatwave in March caused snow to melt and vegetation to dry out earlier than normal this year. Those conditions could provide lots of fuel for wildfires and hasten the start of fire season. Meanwhile, the Trump administration has gutted the U.S. Forest Service, which manages close to 60 percent of our state’s forest areas, and plans to close six research centers in California. We’ll dig into how those factors could influence wildfires this year and how you can prepare.

Guests:

Craig Clements, professor of meteorology, director of the Wildfire Interdisciplinary Research Center at San Jose State University

Marianne Lavelle, Washington, D.C. bureau chief, Inside Climate News

Adrienne Freeman, assistant director for communications for fire and aviation management, US. Forest Service

Brent Pascua, battalion chief, Cal Fire

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