By Rod Hill on 2012-05-14
We may soon pay the price for our abrupt change into a mostly dry weather pattern. Forecast outlooks call for our area to see below normal precipitation June, July and August. Early spring rains have produced heavy brush and grasses across the Northwest, which are now beginning to dry. Fire weather meteorologists at the Northwest Fire Coordination Center project the wildfire season to begin the final week of June. Once started, wildfire season will likely continue through September. The mentioned season is near normal but much longer than our last few years. Last spring's record June rain delayed wildfire season until August. Experts say there is a strong correlation between the length of the fire season and it's severity. Last year's season was roughly 60 days. This year's wildfire season will be more than 100 days. Highest fire danger is reported to be southeastern Oregon, where the winter snow pack was far below normal.
The number of wildfires is dictated largely by lightning strikes. I am told 40% of Northwest wildfires are started by humans. The 40% statistic has been flat over the past 20 years, which means we need to listen more closely to Smoky Bear. I was surprised to learn that human behavior is as careless today as 20 years ago when it comes to triggering a blaze.
Rod Hill
Partial Solar Eclipse May 20th (Sunday)