Fire danger lowered but dry conditions remain

MINERAL COUNTY - Authorities lowered the fire danger in Mineral County to very high after some precipitation fell on the region early last week but cautioned that dry conditions persist in wooded areas and the public should still exercise caution.

An email from Superior Ranger District Fire Prevention Officer Jim Ward indicated despite the rain, there was no change to the drought status of the region. The email further stated, “the current U.S. Drought Monitor shows that we are still in extreme drought and shows impacts may be short and long term.”

The report also indicated above normal amounts of precipitation for the second week of July and closer to normal temperatures for the same time period.

Ward also noted the Climate Prediction Center’s three month outlook showed “an enhanced probability of above normal temperatures.

According to Ward, the Forest Service did not detect any holdover fires as a result of last week’s storms.

He did say authorities responded to a few illegal debris fires that were contained.

There was, according to authorities, one three quarter acre fire that resulted from an individual burning weeds that was caught by the wind and spread.