Rippey: Wildfire Concerns Will Grow In The Northwest

Weather forecasts expect temperatures to climb into the upper 90s this week, with some locations expected to see highs well above the century mark.  And with those hot, dry conditions, the concern about wildfire risk grows.

“Hopefully nothing like what we’ve experienced over the last couple of wildfire seasons, but never the less, sometimes when you have the cool wet springs, you get a lot of build up of finer fuels, of grasses, or brush, and that can dry out and burn rather quickly in late summer," said USDA meteorologist Brad Rippey.  "So, that’s kind of what we’re keeping an eye on in the Northwest.”

Rippey noted that crop and pasture conditions look “pretty good” right now, but those could change very quickly with the extreme heat expected in the week ahead.

If you have a story idea for the PNW Ag Network, call (509) 547-1618, or e-mail glenn.vaagen@townsquaremedia.com