OLYMPIA, Wash.-Fire season has already started and with dry conditions expected to persist throughout the summer wildfire mitigation and prevention efforts are already underway.
Whether started and fueled by weather events, such as lightning and wind, or accidentally started, wildfires are unpredictable and forecasting the fire season in the Northwest is difficult.
The Department of Ecology does not have any specific fire season forecasts for the Yakima or Tri-Cities regions, however, the National Interagency Fire Center’s Predictive Services released its Significant Wildland Fire Potential Outlook on May 1 that includes the Northwest.
The latest fire outlooks will be released on the first of each month throughout fire season.
Fire potential in the Northwest is expected to remain normal for May and June before increasing to above normal for the southeastern and northwestern portions of the area in July and August, according to the NIFC.
Snowpack in the region peaked earlier than normal around mid-March and has shown a decline since and the State of Washington has declared a drought emergency due to the low snowpack and water supply concerns.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration outlook covering May through July/August indicate a 50-60% chance of above normal temperatures through the period.
Warmer temperatures, coupled with the highest probabilities of below normal precipitation over the same time period for the eastern quarter of Washington could result in wildfires.
Smoke from out-of-state wildfires could also impact Washington again this summer.
NIFC is predicting a slow start to the wildfire season in California, however, an above average wildfire season is forecast for Aug. and Sept. in Canada, which could bring smoke to Washington’s skies.
According to Susan Woodward with the Washington Department of Ecology, the state is likely to see wildfire smoke impact air quality in the region in August and September as moisture decreases and temperatures increase.
