Damned If You Do ...

Seems we just can't win when it comes to wild fires here in California. Note this story from today's Daily News:

Last year, fueled by the driest year on record in Los Angeles that left the region tinder-dry, massive wildfires throughout Southern California destroyed hundreds of homes and scorched more than 500,000 acres.

We all remember that, don't we? It was a dry, dry year, and that led to enormous fires. Moral of the story: Pray for rain. Right?

Well, sometimes you have to watch out what you wish for. Because it did rain a bunch earlier this year. And you know what that means? More wildfires!

This year's fire season is arriving after a wetter winter; downtown has already seen roughly 13 inches of rain since July 1.

But some experts say that has simply led to a growth in vegetation -- literally more fuel for the fires. And they note that it hasn't rained recently -- and it's going to be a hot summer. ...

And that heat will dry out vegetation just as Santa Ana winds begin their typical swing through Southern California in September, October and November.

So to recap, when it doesn't rain, we get wildfires. And when it rains, we get wildfires. Real moral of the story: If you want to avoid wildfires, move to Maine.