Fighting fire with fire? Controlled burns may work in NorCal, but not always in SoCal MORE This year is expected to be California’s worst wildfire season. That’s after 2020 was the largest wildfire season ever, and before that, it was 2018. Could an effective mitigation strategy be prescribed burns? That’s when firefighters set blazes in areas that can be contained. Photo by Shutterstock. One of the most talked about solutions to the state’s wildfires is also one of the most dangerous for some Southern California neighborhoods: prescribed burns. For years, the state has faced criticism for failing to prevent worsening fire conditions. This year is on track to be California’s worst wildfire season. That’s after 2020 was the largest wildfire season ever. And before that, it was 2018.