Drought By The Numbers: Energy Release Component Is Already At Dangerous Late September Levels

By Darren Peck, CBS San Francisco:

SAN FRANCISCO (CBS SF) — One of the earliest Red Flag Warnings ever issued remained in effect for parts of the San Francisco Bay Area Sunday night as bone-dry winds continued to drain moisture out of local hillsides, heightening the dangers of a wildfire.

But just how dry have the hillsides become during our extreme drought conditions?

Researchers use a measurement called the Energy Release Component. It’s an indicator of how much energy might be released from the grass, twigs, branches and trees should they catch fire. The higher the value, the more combustible the landscape is.

Read more at CBS San Francisco

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