DNR predicts fire season may be an "active one"

A slightly above normal wildfire risk is expected this summer. The prediction from Washington State Department of Natural Resources' (DNR) scientists, as announced by new Washington State Lands Commissioner Dave Upthegrove.

"We're hopeful this will be an unremarkable fire season, but in the event when it's not, in the critical moments, it could be a difficult one," said the DNR Director. "We won't be able to rely as much on the federal government, at least in the same way, this summer as we always have. Also at the state level, the legislature just finished and they passed a budget that has some impacts on us. Particularly our future ability to help prevent and prepare for wildfires.'

"The state budget cut our, some of our prevention and preparation work by about half from what's be averaging about $120 million over the last two biennium to only $60 million," Upthegrove added.

"We are experiencing a very dry spring even though we did have a fairly good snowpack, that snowpack is melting quickly, " said the DNR's Wildfire Manager Angie Lane. "We're just not getting the spring rain we need so that you'll see that our (fire) fuels are responding in-kind and we've had a lot of fires down along the Columbia River, we've had quite a few up in northeast, southeast in the basin, all those areas where we have light flashy fuels."

"The fire season this year looks like it will be an active one," Lane proclaimed. "We have significant fire potential setting up in the east slopes of the cascades, mainly in June, and that significant fire potential expands rapidly in July and August."

"We will have all 120 engines staffed this year, and then a compliment of all of our hand crews that we had last year, we have staffed this year," Lane added as preparations are being made.

Lane says since fire season is setting up to be an active one heavy equipment and air assets are set up to assist. Much of the aerial firefighting is currently stationed in Okanogan County where some spring fires have already occurred.

"The lions share of our starts are related to escaped debris burning," Lane reported. "We need our public to pay attention to safe burning conditions ensuring that they're monitoring their burns, they're making sure they're out and they don't leave them unattended until they are, especially on any kind of windy day."

The wildfire that burned 99.2 acres southeast of Oroville last week has been contained.

All controlled burning activities on the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest have ended for the spring season. Forest spokesperson Robin DeMario says conditions are no longer favorable for conducting any further prescribed fires.

Approximately 500 acres of forestlands were subjected to prescribed fire on the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest during the spring season.

No additional controlled burns are scheduled until the beginning of summer. A live fire exercise will occur on the Entiat River Ranger District.