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That's a good question.  I would not characterize the current atmospheric circulation pattern over the western U.S. as prototypical for La Nina - you can get a good sense of the expected La Nina influence from this post: https://www.climate.gov/news-features/blogs/enso/writing-about-la-ni%C3….  Therefore, there likely are other shorter-term weather factors at play right now.  However, that doesn't mean that ENSO cannot be a factor.  In fact, there is reported connection between La Nina and increases in wildfires in the southwestern U.S., including California.  You can read more about that in this post: https://www.climate.gov/news-features/blogs/enso/how-might-el-ni%C3%B1o….  It would take a careful investigation to determine how much La Nina may have contributed to the current fires in California.     

In reply to by mike mcnicholas