Drought
Impacts
| Early
fall closures of private timberlands because
of fire danger is not unusual in Washington.
What is unusual this year is the potential
severity of conditions that could heighten
the risk. According to DNR statistics most
fires, occurring under their protection, are
man caused. Lightening strikes only account
for 13% of the total. |
|
|
Forest landowners
fear that the warm, dry spring in 2004 could be leading up to
tinder dry conditions in the forests and rangelands of the State.
Washington Department of Natural Resources (DNR)reported that
we are entering our third year of drought, “Washington's
forests are as dry today (May) as they typically are in late
July or early August. This year, DNR has already had to fight
more than 70 small wildfires, more than three times the usual
amount. Many of these fires were human caused, usually the result
of debris burning.”
The danger
of increased numbers and potential severity of wildfires is
a constant worry during drought conditions. The loss of valuable
timber resources and other property is a real concern and
may result in early and extended closures and restrictions
to public access onto public and private lands.
Consecutive
years of drought conditions in Washington have compounded
the problem. While mild winter conditions have resulted in
easing the stress and mortalities to wildlife over the winter
months, continued drought conditions could lead to additional
stress and mortalities to wildlife during the summer and fall
seasons. If animals enter the winter in poor condition than
over-winter mortality rates can be expected to rise even under
normal winter conditions.
Early
fall closures of private timberlands because of fire danger
is not unusual in Washington. What is unusual this year is
the potential severity of conditions that could heighten the
risk. According to DNR statistics most fires, occurring under
their protection, are man caused. Lightening strikes only
account for 13% of the total.
HUNTERS
ARE ALWAYS ADVISED TO BE CAREFUL IN THE OUTDOORS, ESPECIALLY
UNDER THESE EXCEPTIONAL CONDITIONS. |
