In many countries the ground is very dry and the water reservoirs are much lower than usual. Europe and Australia are now worried that they might face the same wildfires which are still burning in the US (photo, from aljazeera.net) and Mexico.
After the flooding this winter, Australia is about to enter the dry season and the waters from the excessive rains have drained away.
The wild grasses across vast swathes of the desert have been rejuvenated by the waters. As a result an area which normally is barren red sand is now covered in grasses unusually high and dense.
The dry season will make the ground parched again and the luxuriant grasses will become dry tinder, perfect for wildfires. The abundance of dry matter to burn makes the fire very difficult to put out.
Although wildfires happen almost annually in many parts of the world, often started naturally by a lightning strike, they can also be ignited accidentally by a campfire or controlled burning that gets out of control.
A fire can also be caused by carelessness, for example when a cigarette butt is thrown from a car.
Because of an unusually dry winter, Texas and Mexico are already suffering from important wildfires this year, and in spite of the severe storms that are raging across several eastern parts of the US, there is but little rain in the south, where it is needed the most.
Instead of heavy rain, the south coast is seeing increased cloud and strengthening winds, which is very unhelpful as it is fanning the flames and spreading the fire.
And now Europe too is getting concerned about the risk of wildfires.
While people there have been enjoying an early taste of summer for the past week or so, meteorologists are becoming increasingly anxious.
There has been significantly less rain than usual in March and April, and this summer some parts of Europe go through the worst drought for more than a century.
Many places have ordered restrictions in order to try to prevent wildfires starting.
Barbecues, campfires and even outdoor smoking have been banned in the Netherlands to prevent fires starting, and traditional Easter fairs have been cancelled in parts of the country.
But those are short term solutions, in the long term many places will have to put water restrictions in place if there is not a lot of rain soon.