What’s Behind Lake County’s Back-to-Back Wildfire Catastrophes? Blame the Drought

Will it happen every year? That question hangs in the air as Lake County residents suffer through catastrophic wildfire for the fourth time in two years. This time, the fire is surging even after a relatively wet winter and spring in Northern California. And experts say it’s a reminder that California’s five-year drought has left communities throughout the state vulnerable. “This is coming to you,” said Kevin Cann, a Mariposa County supervisor who has been speaking for rural communities on a statewide forestry commission. “All of this has its roots in the drought.”