Crime & Safety
Drought: San Mateo Co. Plants At Record Low Moisture Levels
The Cal Fire San Mateo-Santa Cruz branch received disturbing results after testing vegetation in the area. What to know.
SAN MATEO COUNTY, CA — Moisture levels of vegetation in San Mateo County are at or below historic low values for this time of year, officials said.
The Cal Fire San Mateo-Santa Cruz Unit tested flora at various sites in both counties July 1 as part of its bimonthly effort to monitor moisture levels in plants. The decrease in water content was significant, Cal Fire said.
In 2020, moisture levels didn't dip this low until early to mid-August, according to Cal Fire.
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The discovery comes months after researchers with the San José State University Fire Weather Research Laboratory made a historic discovery of their own.
"Wow, never seen April fuels look so ... dry," the lab said on Twitter. "No new growth anywhere."
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More: 'Very Scary' Discovery Made In Santa Cruz Mountains
Last year the Golden State saw record-breaking, devastating wildfires such as the CZU August Lightning Complex fires that tore through 86,500 acres of the Santa Cruz Mountains, destroyed 1,500 buildings and left one person dead.
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