moisture

Climate change means the record rains seen this year are more likely to occur more frequently, as a warmer atmosphere holds more moisture.

"In particular, there are things we call atmospheric rivers… bands of air, which contain very high amounts of moisture that fuel themselves from the ocean waters," she added.

Trees, grasses and plants that make up Southern California’s natural landscape will absorb a lot of moisture from the rain, making them less prone to burn — at least for a while.

Healthy soil requires “moisture and heat and warmth,” says Annabel Renwick, a native plant curator at the Sarah P. Duke Gardens at Duke University.

Trees, grasses and plants that make up Southern California’s natural landscape will absorb a lot of moisture from the rain, making them less primed to burn — at least for a while.