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San Mateo County Live Fuel Moisture: March 2014

Moisture levels have increased significantly in the Unit, but continue below average and near record low levels for this time of year.  Coyote Brush at HWY 92/35 is the exception; it’s about average.  Spring growth, which drives the spike in moisture each year, was observed on coyote brush and just beginning on manzanita.  Chamise appears dormant, but must be transitioning based on its moisture increase.  In the absence of significant late rains, expect this spring’s fuel moisture increase to peak early and well below normal.

March live fuel moisture for the CAL FIRE San Mateo-Santa CruzUnit is posted at http://www.wfas.net/index.php/national-fuel-moisture-database-moisture-drought-103  and summarized below:

Location Current (%)3/19 Previous (%)     2/18 Change
Hwy 35 & 92 - coyote brush 189 118 +71
Pulgas - coyote brush 137 109 +28
Saratoga Summit - chamise 80 67 +13
new growth /a /a /a
old growth /a /a /a
Corralitos - manzanita 94 79 +15
new growth /a /a /a
old growth /a /a /a