The 2017 California wildfire season is the worst on record, according to the California Department of Forestry. There are several fires burning across Southern California.

The heavy winter rains earlier this year caused a spurt in the growth of vegetation, add an arid summer and unusually hot fall, mixed with the Santa Ana’s, the typical fall high winds, has caused the perfect conditions for these fires. The humidity level right now is at an all time low, too low to slow this disaster.

The fast-moving Thomas fire in Ventura County is the largest of these blazes. As of December 9, 2017, the Thomas fire has charred more than 132,000 acres. NASA’s Earth Observatory has posted color images of the smoke streaming from the many fires.

Check out these links:

https://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/NaturalHazards/view.php?id=91387&eocn=home&eoci=nh

http://www.esa.int/spaceinimages/Images/2017/12/California_in_flames

http://www.latimes.com/visuals/graphics/la-me-g-santa-ana-winds-listicle-htmlstory.html

http://earthsky.org/todays-image/california-flames-smoke-dec-2017-nasa-terra

Images Courtesy: NASA’s Earth Observatory, ESA