Fire danger to continue

Officials are predicting a long, strong fire season for the western U.S.

In our region, as of early Tuesday, fires were burning in Chelan, Douglas, Grant, Stevens, Adams, Ferry, Okanogan and Spokane counties. The Valley View fire in Spokane County that destroyed 11 homes in the Dishman Hills area and more than 1,200 acres was started by a backyard fire pit.

A fire near Wenatchee has already burned more than 12 square miles. Gov. Chris Gregoire signed a state of emergency to control the increasing number of wildfires in central and Eastern Washington.

Some officials say the recent blazes are the worst since the firestorm of 1991, when winds of more than 60 miles per hour uprooted trees and downed power lines, igniting dry grass and brush. The 92 fires destroyed 114 homes and killed one person over six days.

The West’s fire season used to stretch from late July through November. Now fires are starting as early as February. In California, drought, high temperatures and lightning have contributed to blazes that have burned more than 800 square miles since June 20.

Officials say a longer fire season can’t be blamed entirely on drought and climate change. Increasing numbers of people go into the country and forest regions. Tossed cigarettes, smoldering campfires and burning weeds or garbage sometimes get out of control.

On average, July and August are the driest months of the year, with .76 inches and .68 inches normal rainfall at Spoakne International Airport. Only a trace of moisture has been gauged this month with little rain in sight.

The 60-day span starting the third week of July should be both warmer and drier than usual. Fire danger levels are expected to remain high into early fall.

There will be lots of sunny days this summer in the 85 to 95 degree range.