Commissioners considering fire restrictions
Unseasonably high temperatures have combined with unusually low snowpack to create an extreme fire danger in the inland northwest. The risk has elevated to such a level as to push the Lincoln County Board of Commissioners to consider restrictions on the discharge of personal fireworks during the coming holiday weekend.
“Based upon current conditions, we may be forced to place some restrictions on personal fireworks discharge,” said Lincoln County Commissioner Mark Peck. “We are at historic risk levels.”
Ray Nickless, a hydrologist with the National Weather Service in Missoula, said the region is experiencing record-level dry conditions. Nickless said stream flows are at historically low levels. The Fisher River, he said, is flowing at approximately 200 cubic feet per second, the lowest level since measurement began in 1977. The Fisher is measured just before it dumps into the Kootenai River near Libby.
“The streams just shouldn’t be this low,” he said.
Spokane-based hydrologist Katharine Rowden issued a drought warning for the inland northwest last week. Rowden’s territory is eastern Washington and northern Idaho.
“Our region is experiencing a very unusual year in terms of snowpack, early snowmelt, above average temperatures, below average spring precipitation and low stream flow,” she wrote. “Water supply forecasts for summer streamflow at several locations put them at or near the lowest summer streamflow volumes since at least 1971. Wildfire conditions are at critical levels in many areas. We’re already seeing conditions that we would see in August in a typical year.”
Nickless said the conditions described by Rowden extend into western Montana as well, and that the forecast shows no signs of pending relief, with high temperatures in the area for the next two weeks.
“With this heat spell we have coming up, it’s just going to dry up more quickly,” he said.
Interagency wildfire officials with the Missoula County Fire Protection Association upgraded Missoula County’s fire danger level to extreme. Lake County officials are reportedly poised to impose fire and fireworks restrictions, while officials in Flathead County appear to be resisting similar pressure from the public.
Lincoln County officials are hesitant to impose restrictions which might hamper people’s enjoyment of the Independence Day holiday weekend, but the situation may force such action.
“This is unprecedented,” Peck said. “We’re sensitive to the social and economic importance of these celebrations, but these conditions are unprecedented.”
Peck said any restrictions, should they be imposed, would be limited to personal fireworks discharges. The larger civic celebrations, such as Troy’s Fourth of July festival, would not be hindered by limitations on discharges.
The use and possession of fireworks, explosives and open-flame luminaries is already prohibited on lands administered by federal agencies. Federal officials have issued warning reminding people of the importance of fire safety measures during periods of extremely high risk, such as now.
“If you build a campfire or use a charcoal grill, remember to put it completely after use,” Bureau of Land Management official Jonathan Moor wrote. “Avoid driving or riding through tall, dry grass, as hot exhaust systems and tailpipes can easily start a fire. Please check that the spark arrestor on chainsaws and other equipment is attached and working before use.”
Peck said the commissioners will be discussing the possible restrictions Tuesday, but with the forecast for the rest of the week calling for similar conditions and no rain, restrictions are likely to be imposed.