Be safe in woods: Agencies implement fire rules
BONNERS FERRY — Above normal temperatures paired with below normal precipitation have increased the fire potential for this summer. The trend will continue with above normal temperatures forecasted for the next three months according to the Climate Prediction Center.
The region is experiencing an unusual year with low snowpack, early snowmelt, above average temperatures, below average spring precipitation and low streamflow according to Katherine Rowden, National Weather Service hydrologist.
The winter of 2014/2015 brought average to above-average precipitation to the Inland Northwest but every month except November saw above average temperatures resulting in much of the winter precipitation arriving as rainfall instead of snow according to the National Weather Service.
By the end of March, the NRCS (National Resources Conservation Service) reported record low snowpack at many observation sites across the Pacific Northwest with many sites recording their earliest loss of snowpack--as much as four to eight weeks earlier than average.
The warm winter continued into spring with well above average temperatures.
Boundary County experienced an exceptionally dry May and June according to Ken Homik, Idaho Department of Lands. The summer’s fire potential is dependent on June rains and with minimal moisture this spring it could be a long, dry season. Forest conditions right now are at levels typically seen at the end of July or early August said Homik.
“We are well in advance of a typical year dryness-wise,” said Homik.
A cold snap last November prior to snowfall did not allow winter rains to penetrate the soil resulting in low subsoil moisture according to the Idaho Department of Lands. As a result tree stumps are burning three to four feet into the ground and making it difficult to extinguish fires.
With the snowpack gone, the springtime rainy season behind us and summer temperatures ahead of us, the drought conditions are expected to persist or intensify in the coming months according to the National Weather Service. The majority of Boundary County is already classified with moderate drought conditions. The western portion of the county along with most of Bonner County is classified with severe drought conditions.
Most of the western United States are in drought conditions through September according to the Climate Prediction Center. El Nino is strengthening and there is an 85 percent chance of it persisting into next winter according to the National Weather Service. Inland Northwest winters with El Nino typically result in warmer than normal temperatures with below normal snowfall.
The lack of spring precipitation combined with above average temperatures has put additional stress on the region due to increased early evaporation. The Spokane National Weather Service collects daily evaporation values and the April to June 24 period has seen the most evaporation in 35 years (when measurements began at the airport).
Streamflows are remarkably low due to the early loss of snowpack and the lack of spring precipitation. Many streams are already at levels typically seen in August according to the National Weather Service. The stream levels are expected to steadily decline.
Several USGS stream gages are reporting record low late-June flows including Boundary Creek near Porthill. Boundary Creek was experiencing record low seven-day average flows on June 23 and records have been kept for 87 years.
Long range hydrologic models are forecasting far below normal river flows and water supply for all unregulated rivers and lakes in the Inland Northwest this summer according to the National Weather Service. The Moyie River water supply is forecasted to be 54 percent of normal.
The unusual weather is also impacting agriculture operations and domestic wells with the low water levels and soil moisture shortages.
Fire season is ahead of schedule with the early loss of snowpack, above average spring temperatures and below average spring precipitation.
The National Significant Wildland Fire Potential Outlook shows North Idaho with above normal wildland fire potential through September, along with a large portion of the western United States which is unusual for this time of year.
The fuels are already drier than average and with the hot temperatures and low humidity this week they will continue to dry out. Fuels are at critical levels and conditions are what we typically see in August according to the National Weather Service. Even huckleberry plants are a few weeks ahead of normal and won’t last long with the current conditions said Homik.
High-elevation sites normally with snowpack into July have been snow-free for weeks which provides more of an opportunity for wildfires as the sites rapidly dry out according to the National Weather Service.
With dry forests the potential for fires is high but there needs to be an ignition source. Lightning does start some fires but most at low elevations are caused by people. Most of the 74 fires that State of Idaho firefighters have put out so far this year have been caused by people according to the Idaho Department of Lands.
The Idaho Department of Lands is already restricting burn permits except for agriculture burning. Campfires don’t require burn permits.
With the Fourth of July this weekend, officials are urging everyone to use extreme caution with campfires and fireworks due to the dry conditions. Fires started by fireworks this year have the potential to be larger than prior years said Homik.
Fireworks are banned on all state, federal and forest lands statewide during closed burning season (May 10 through October 20). According to Idaho Statues Title 38, Chapter 1 Idaho Forestry Act, 38-117, “It shall be unlawful during the closed season for any person to throw away any lighted tobacco, cigar, cigarette, match, firecracker, fireworks or other lighted material of any kind on any forest or range land of this state.”
Anyone who starts a fire negligently can be held accountable for the cost of the fire said Homik.
Report all fires to 9-1-1 for the quickest response.