Local fire danger rating raised to high level

As of July 2, the fire danger rating for the West Zone of the Lolo National Forest, which includes the Superior Ranger District and the Plains/Thompson Falls Ranger District has been moved to high.

Along with several other states in the Northwest, Montana has been riding out an impressive heat wave that has worsened droughts, broken temperatures records and amplified wildland fire potentials.

“With the on-going heat wave and short-term weathe forecasts, the live and dead fuel moistures will continue to drop,” said Superior Ranger District Fire Management Officer Jim Ward.

The latest release of the U.S. Drought Monitor shows most of Mineral County as abnormally dry.

“There is a portion of the county along the state line showing moderate drought," Ward said. "The U.S. Seasonal Drought Outlook released June 17 shows drought development likely for Mineral County this summer.”

Over the busy Fourth of July holiday weekend temperatures continued to reach into the 90s with no precipitation. Those partaking in firework shows and activities needed to be extra vigilant about avoiding unwanted fire starts.

“The rural volunteer fire departments and the Forest Service are always are concerned about any unwanted fire," Ward said. "Improper use of fireworks certainly elevates the potential for these to occur. As our fire danger increases the probabilities of new fire starts also increases.”

There was some concern regarding the dry conditions and hot weather possibly forcing the cancellation of the annual 4th of July firework show in St. Regis, but the local Fire Council and County Commissioner deemed it was safe enough to carry on the popular pyrotechnic display at the community park.

Looking ahead to the rest of the summer and seasonal fire activity Ward said, “The Forest Service and our Interagency partners utilize a wide array of information sources and analyses to plan and prepare for fire season. The key elements we track constantly are weather, precipitation and fuels conditions.”

Both short-term and long-term weather patterns and forecasts play a crucial role in predicting fire danger.

“Weather has a strong influence on fuel moistures burning conditions. Precipitation, including snowpack, is important to vegetation health and water supplies,” Ward said.

When drought conditions begin to develop in the region, grasses and forbs die off quickly and the trees and shrubs can become stressed and burn rapidly. Fuels, which are the trees, grasses, and vegetation, are one of three basic components of a forest fire. The other two factors are heat and oxygen.

“We closely track fuel moistures in both live and dead vegetation. When live fuel moistures are high, they absorb a lot of the energy from a fire before they might ignite. The drier the fuels are, the more available they are to ignite and propagate fire growth,” Ward said.

On June 1, the National Significant Wildland Fire Potential Outlook showed large areas in the Western U.S., including Mineral County, that should expect above normal significant wildland fire potential in July and August.

Long range forecasts show hot and dry conditions through the remainder of the month. In part, fire danger levels will continue to increase and possible restrictions will be established.

Fire restrictions are implemented when there is a need to reduce the risk of fires starting from recreational and outdoor activities that are known ignition sources.

“Interagency partners will coordinate and start implementing restrictions when conditions warrant them," Ward said. "Stage I Fire Restrictions are the first step and basically prohibit campfires and smoking in areas of burnable vegetation. As fire conditions elevate towards extreme conditions, we could move to Stage II Fire Restrictions.”

During Stage II Restrictions, activities that are prohibited include campfires, smoking in areas of burnable vegetation, operating motorized vehicles off designated roads and trails, and the operation of any internal combustion engine, welding, operating a torch with open flame and explosives between the hours of 1 p.m. to 1 a.m. A 2-hour patrol following cessation of work is required.

“There are certain exemptions to Stage II Restrictions," Ward said. "If conditions remain extreme, there may be certain closure orders issued.”

Mineral County has been fortunate to have had relatively quiet fire seasons the last few summers, but this year may prove more challenging and dangerous the rest of July and August.