VIDEO: So far, California has been spared the large wildfires that ravaged the state in 2018, a year that included the largest, most destructive and deadliest wildfires on record in the Golden State.
From January to early August last year, more than 3,660 wildfires that burned an astounding 615,000 acres were reported in California. During that same period this year, about 2,900 wildfires have burned only 22,900 acres, according to CALFIRE statistics. California's five-year average for that period is about 3,500 fires and 245,800 acres of burned land.
So, what's behind the significant decrease in the number of fires and acres burned? It's due to several factors, but one of the most important is soil moisture.
"If you’ve ever tried to make a fire with wet wood you know what I’m talking about," said NBC4 forecaster Anthony Yanez.