SAN DIEGO - El Niño and California's drought have created a dangerous environment for wildfires.
"We're going to be right back in this … this fire season here … in just a month or two," said Cal Fire Capt. Kendal Bortisser.
San Diego County officials are expected to unveil their wildfire plans this Thursday.
Bortisser said the biggest concerns are the grasses and weeds that are growing after the winter rains. Those grasses and weeds will act as fuel for fire in a drought-stricken landscape.
"It'll burn quite rapidly when you have the right conditions," said Bortisser.
A NOAA Storm Prediction Center researcher said wildfires would be the No. 1 natural threat in the U.S. during the next decade.
It would be nothing new to San Diego, however.
"Now is the time to sit down with your family and determine how are we getting out," said Bortisser, who added San Diegans should always be ready for wildfires.
