California’s Snow Data Likely Signals Another Fire-Prone Summer

California is emerging from its wettest time of the year with new fire and drought risks.

The state is scheduled to measure the snowpack amassed over winter on Tuesday — April 1 is the typical peak point before springtime melting. This data will help determine how much water will be available for residents and agriculture.

The above-average and near-normal snow conditions in mountains in northern and central California should give the state enough water to meet its needs for summer and fall, according to Daniel Swain, a climatologist at the University of California Los Angeles.

For California, however, this ...