Northwest Could Face Another Dangerous Wildfire Season

The National Interagency Center is out with its forecast and predictions for the upcoming late spring and summer months.  According to USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey, our area will be monitored closely.

“The wild card this is year is have had a relativity dry late winter and early spring across parts of the Pacific Northwest, so we are expecting an enhanced threat of wildfires in some areas that are typically not really thought of as a wild fire area and that would be west of the Cascades.”

Rippey noted early winter snow and precipitation can contribute to growth of fine fuels like grasses.

“And once those cure they could be available to start fires so that's something to watch.”

Rippey added that wildfire threat over the summer is expected to spread across Central and Eastern Washington into the northern Rockies.  He said that's why he expects the Northwest to be very active this wildfire season.

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