VENTURA COUNTY FIRE DEPARTMENT LIVE FUEL MOISTURE 2020 ALL FUEL BEDS - CHAMISE Fuels/Fire Discussion As we see our green hillsides gradually fading to gold, our larger Live Fuels are drying as well. Live Fuel Moistures are slightly above the historic value at 105%, minimizing the spread of our recent ignitions. As Live Fuel Moistures decline through the season, the ability for fire to transition from the light flashy fuels into the larger fuels increases. Keep in mind that the heat sink abilities of the higher Live Fuel Moisture will continue to limit fire spread but can quickly evaporate under the influence of wind and or topography. 160 140 120 VNC, VMP 100 80 VCFD FUEL MOISTURE CHART CURRENT FUEL MOISTURE AVERAGE: 105% HISTORICAL AVERAGE: 99% PREVIOUS FUEL MOISTURE AVERAGE: 117% SAME TIME LAST YEAR: 103% Fuels sampled: 05/16/20 60 40 JAN FEB MAR HISTORICAL AVG APR MAY AVG LFM JUN CRITICAL JUL AUG CASITAS SEP OCT MALIBU SIMI NOV OJAI DEC T.O.