The majority of the state is seeing some form of drought this summer, increasing potential for wildfires to ignite. How does drought actually increase wildfire potential though? By drying out fuels, such as grasses, brush and other vegetation. Fuel dryness is impacted by various factors including the fuel type, size and whether it is alive or dead. When it comes to size, smaller dead fuels like grasses can directly absorb moisture from the air or from water droplets, quickly replenishing moisture levels. Small fuels also lose moisture more readily due to low relative humidity values, wind and high temperatures. Larger diameter dead fuels retain moisture more efficiently and are less susceptible to daily change than smaller dead fuels. Long term rainfall deficits allow larger diameter dead fuels to dry out. These fuels take longer to replenish moisture as well and several long duration rainfall events are needed to bring these fuels back to normal moisture. Recent wildfire observations indicate larger diameter surface fuel and ground fuel is burning more readily and holding heat longer due to low fuel moisture and underlying drought. When these fuels become more receptive to fire, the time and effort toward fighting the fire increases.