Southern Californians could face floods and fires this year.<\/p>\n
A hot, dry winter has led to fires already, and experts said Friday at a news conference in Los Angeles that that is projected to continue.<\/p>\n
Different from previous wildfire seasons, though, experts are also closely watching El Ni\u00f1o, a powerful weather pattern<\/a> that causes changes in winds and ocean temperatures.<\/p>\n \u201cCalifornia is faced with multiple disasters, whether it be fires, floods, hazardous material incidents,\u201d said Brian Marshall, fire and rescue chief with the California Office of Emergency Services. Marshall said the El Ni\u00f1o \u201ccould impact fires and could impact flooding across the state.\u201d<\/p>\n Keep up with LAist.<\/p>\n If you’re enjoying this article, you’ll love our daily newsletter, The LA Report. Each weekday, catch up on the 5 most pressing stories to start your morning in 3 minutes or less. <\/p>\n The National Weather Service is predicting a 63% chance of a \u201cvery strong<\/a>\u201d El Ni\u00f1o from November to January. It could be one of the most powerful since 1950, according to the weather service\u2019s Climate Prediction Center.<\/p>\n Heavy El Ni\u00f1o storms could trigger flash flooding and debris flows in wildfire burn scar areas.<\/p>\n The effects of the rapidly developing El Ni\u00f1o on this year\u2019s wildfire season remain uncertain, and experts urged residents to stay vigilant.<\/p>\n \u201cEven very strong El Ni\u00f1o events do not lead to the expected impact everywhere,\u201d according to the Climate Prediction Center<\/a>.<\/p>\n William Deverell, director of the Huntington-USC Institute on California and the West, said more rain can also increase plant growth, which can eventually dry out and create more fuel for fires.<\/p>\n Robert Garcia, fire chief in the Angeles National Forest, said the recent Burro Fire<\/a> provided \u201csome indicators of what may be ahead\u201d as vegetation starts to dry. The Burro Fire charred 30 acres<\/a> and burned for about a week in May in the San Gabriel Mountains north of Glendora.<\/p>\n What you can do to stay safe<\/p>\n Fire officials advised people to create defensible space around their homes by clearing it of dry vegetation and other flammable materials.<\/p>\n