Weather Questions: Droughts and Fires?

Looking back at the 4.5 months I have spent in Mazatlan, I can report that during that entire time there has been only one rainfall, for 20 min, back in late October. And on most days, with the exception of a week or two, the sun has been shining, the atmosphere being clear and everything looking bright and sparkling (beautiful for biking).

I have some concerns for the future, and these ideas came to me while watching the terrible bush fires in Australia: The entire countryside here, with only a few open areas in between, and as far as the eye can see (and as I noted from the airplane already), is covered with dense low brush. Why are there no fires here?

According to climate forecasts, the tropical regions, and that would include essentially all of Mexico, will suffer most in terms of droughts and dryness causing immense migration pressure away from these areas where it will become harder to grow foods and where potentially fires will destroy much of the dry forests, bushlands and forests. The city and recreation areas along the sea may not be affected by fires - the winds blowing inland or parallel to the coast line - but the many villages further inland, surrounded as they are by bush and vegetation would seem to be perilous places to live. I think the only thing that saves these areas right now from spreading fires is the fact that the bushland does not include any quick burning coniferous vegetation like you see in California. But with months of no rains and the potential for hotter and drier seasons - who knows.

Well, mark my words! And I will try to take some pictures of our burning 5th Wheel before heading into the sea with a wet towel over my face!