California is experiencing an unusually intense wildfire season, with over 5,500 wildfires reported so far this year, burning more than 800,000 acres, a significant increase compared to last year. The Park Fire near Chico, ignited in July, has already become the fourth largest wildfire in California's history. Factors contributing to this surge include heavy winter rains leading to increased grass growth, which ignites easily in the summer heat, especially in lower elevations. Additionally, experts warn that a future lightning storm could exacerbate the situation by triggering multiple ignitions simultaneously. In the Bay Area, residents are also bracing for a heatwave that is expected to increase emergency medical calls. Meanwhile, students at Yale University are managing the summer heat without air conditioning in most dorms, finding creative ways to cope as temperatures soar.