RANCHO SAN DIEGO, Calif — Scorching temps throughout San Diego County's inland, mountain and desert regions also brings a fire risk for the area.
California has experienced 71 new wildfires since the early morning hours of July 3. As Cal Fire breaks crews from the McCain Fire that started in Boulevard on Monday, firefighters know they’re not in the clear.
“We want to make sure we can get through this holiday and get through the weekend this hot dry weather is not letting up,” said Captain Thomas Shoots, Cal Fire San Diego.
He says with temperatures intensifying on Friday and Saturday, some inland communities reaching triple digits, the fire danger is even greater.
“It really can be a small fire that is challenging, difficult access and really causing a lot of problems anything that people can do is going to help us out,” said Shoots.
But Cal Fire says the fire risk is throughout the county this holiday weekend.
“Wildfire is not a back country thing,” said Shoots. “It doesn’t have to be this mega fire to be devastating for this community to burn down houses and endanger lives.”
Cal Fire says they’ve planned for more resources to cover the McCain Fire and the possibility for other wildfires.
“It really feels like the momentum is picking up this year,” said Shoots.
The heavy rains this past spring created massive growth that’s now fuel for a potential wildfire.
Captain Shoots says the number of acreages that have already burned in California is four times more than the last five-year average.
“We’re really seeing a strong kick off a lot of small fires becoming a bigger problem for us the grass is cured we know the brush continues to dry out,” said Shoots.
Cal Fire says many of the recent fires were started by a car or equipment from yard work, but fireworks are a greater danger during a high fire risk.
“We want folks to have fun with friends and family and remember that all consumer fireworks are illegal and we really want people to be safe,” said Shoots.
Firefighters recommend people to leave it the professionals to enjoy the holiday.
“Today adds a whole new element to where we have a new potential starts, a lot to fuel, a lot of dried out grass that is ready to burn and we don’t they coming together and causing issues for our communities,” said Shoots.
The McCain Fire is 70 percent contained and evacuation orders have been lifted.
WATCH RELATED: Latest update on fires burning in far East San Diego County