Since 1993, seven of the 10 worst fire years in California, ranked by total acres burned, have occurred after drier-than-normal winters. By contrast, eight of the state’s 10 mildest fire years occurred after wetter-than-normal winters, according to an analysis by the Bay Area News Group and Golden Gate Weather Services, a Half Moon Bay company.

Generally, wet winters lower wildfire risk and dry winters increase it. Northern California received much more rain and snow this winter than Southern California.

The arrival of warmer weather has prompted a warning about wildfires. Large areas of heathland habitat in Dorset have already been destroyed this year due to "human intervention". After two large fires in Upton Heath in April,