Less wind today, but it was blazing hot. After another 12:30 a.m. wake-up call, we cranked out some live weather shots this morning. Then we got to talk to a couple of fire ecology/forecast guys. We learned a ton about the plants that grow round here.
Turns out they are pretty explosive, especially in heat and drought. Little tidbit to take hiking with you next time you're outside -- if the leaves have a strong smell, the vegetation probably burns like hell. Problem here is all this is part of the natural ecosystem, and we are just getting in the way.
-- By Rob Marciano, CNN Correspondent