Are you enjoying the gloomy days and free car washes? It is no understatement to say this winter has been one of the rainiest and coldest seasons in recent years.
According to the U.S. Drought Monitor, the consistent rain has almost eliminated California drought conditions, with over 67 percent of the state free of any level of dryness.
Drought-free conditions is something to be happy about, but what about the negative effects from this drenched winter?
Driving through San Bernardino is similar to driving in a video game, with a sudden twist and turns avoiding potholes and the damage the will bring to your car. This winter, driving in the area has become more challenging as rainwater seeps through the cracks into the gravel underneath the asphalt and creates a gap, which eventually creates potholes.
San Bernardino has never been greener in regard to the city’s ecology. All of this rain has watered and given life to numerous mountains, hillsides and valleys. Unfortunately, the beautiful scenery will not last forever.
Climate change has a big effect on wildfires, the hotter it gets the easier they spread.
“The impacts of a lot of rain are huge,” said Tracey Martinez, a Public Information Officer for the San Bernardino County Fire Protection District. Rain is a double-edged sword. We need the rain, especially in our local mountains where the trees are fighting off the bark beetle and oak boar beetle, fighting for survival. On the other hand, rain causes ladder fuels (underbrush) to grow. When we have an excessively hot summer and the Santa Ana winds start blowing, these ladder fuels dry out quickly and become kindling to a fire. When this happens, a major wildland fire can occur.”
Even though the rain is always something to look forward to there are a lot of effects, both good and bad, that come with it. Unfortunately, drought-free conditions, the beautiful scenery and excessive potholes plus raging wildfires go hand in hand.
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