Spring growth brings threat of wildfires

KENNEWICK – Summer has finally arrived in the region, and public lands managers are urging campers and other visitors to be mindful of fire danger during the July Fourth weekend.

A wet and cool late spring left the landscape of much of Eastern Washington and northeast Oregon unusually green for late June. The abrupt arrival of temperatures in the 80s last week began to dry grasses, and officials fear visitors to forests and campgrounds may be deceived by conditions.

“I know our folks in the Blue Mountains are holding their breath that everyone plays nice because it would not take much for (a fire) to get started,” said Madonna Luers, spokeswoman for the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.

Rangers in the Umatilla National Forest expect campgrounds to be full during the holiday weekend, in part because the Memorial Day weekend was unseasonably cool and wet in the high country and prompted some potential visitors to stay home, said Joani Bosworth, public affairs specialist for the forest.

Campsites on lands managed by the Department of Fish and Wildlife and Washington Department of Natural Resources also should be full, officials said. And because of the delayed arrival of summer conditions, there’s concern visitors may not heed cautions about campfires or leave fireworks at home.

Rangers already have seen signs of carelessness.

“This year there’s been surprisingly more campfires left unattended, probably because it’s been cooler,” Bosworth said. “We want to remind people to put out their fires completely before leaving. Coals in a fire ring can smolder for days, and all it takes is a little wind to get a fire started again and spread.”

Fire danger currently is low to moderate in much of the region, but that will change as temperatures continue to soar.

Luers said wildlife officials also want to remind visitors to areas with bear populations to keep food stored properly and out of reach. Visitors also should leave alone any fawn they encounter that appears to be isolated, as its mother likely is nearby feeding and will return for it.