Fire season could be starting earlier this season in some parts of the Northwest. That’s due to low precipitation, below-average snowpack and projected above-average temperatures in many areas.
North central Washington has only seen about 50% of its precipitation for this time of year, said Steve Bodnar, a lead forecaster with the National Weather Service in Spokane. Some places are even drier.
“Around the Okanogan Valley, eastward up into the Idaho border, that's the area that has seen, uh, quite a deficit of precipitation long-term,” he said.
Snowpack is also lower than usual in many parts of the Northwest with a few exceptions, leading to drought in many areas.
“The only areas that had normal snowpack when we crossed over from about April was the far North Cascades and then up in the Selkirks up North Idaho,” Bodnar said.
May and June could also create opportunities for proactive wildfire prevention, said Paul Pastelok, a lead long-range forecaster for AccuWeather.
“Drying conditions could create opportunities for prescribed burns in late May and early June, while land managers continue monitoring vegetation growth fueled by spring snowmelt and seasonal growth,” he wrote.
While much of the Northwest saw lower precipitation than normal, areas including Pullman and Lewiston may have a slightly lower risk for early fires due to heavy precipitation earlier in the season.
July and August will likely be some of the most severe months for fires due to an increased chance of dry thunderstorms and potential for above-average temperatures, Bodnar said.
Those thunderstorms are a particular risk in eastern Oregon, Idaho and parts of western Montana, Pastelok said.
For homeowners, the Washington Department of Natural Resources and Idaho Department of Lands offer online resources to help prevent fires, wildfire safety tips and guidance on how to defend homes from wildfire.
Families should prepare an emergency kit with essential items and discuss where they would go if a wildfire threatens their area, Pastelok said.
Wildfire smoke can also travel long distances, so people sensitive to smoke or with underlying health conditions should talk to their doctor about ways to reduce exposure such as using an air purifier.
For homeowners, taking steps including watering vegetation near a house, trimming and clearing brush and ensuring roofing and decks are non-flammable can help make homes more resilient in the case of wildfire.
