At least 9 dead as fires spread on both ends of California

[Mugen]

Linville it is complicated; but mostly there has been about a century of fire suppression in California that has caused our forests to overgrow. In combination with unusual climate lately, we have longer dry spells and shorter rainy seasons. It used to rain about mid-October through mid-April, now it rains December-March. At least, on average during the last 10 years or so. We have had a couple "drought-busting" wet years during that time too.