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Fire Danger For Shasta Trinity Worst Since At Least 1921
[One fire expert yesterday told me he had never seen conditions as bad as they are this year]
Warning issued about dry spring
Published: Wednesday, May 14, 2008 2:00 PM CDT
The east side of the Shasta-Trinity National Forest is drier than normal this spring, and the US Forest Service says, based on this year's snow surveys and assessment of on-ground conditions, “fuels are drying very quickly.”
Earlier this month the Shasta McCloud Management Unit conducted the final snow survey for the season covering the east side of the forest (see chart on page A16.) The survey reflects the lack of moisture this spring.
For all courses sampled, the eastern Shasta-Trinity stands at 57.8 percent of normal for snow depth and 64 percent of normal for water content. A great deal of the water content is being absorbed by the dry soil as a result of last year's extremely dry weather, the Forest Service reports. The State Board of Water Resources has reported that March and April 2008 are the driest in the northern Sierra since 1921, the first year that records were kept. The amount of water runoff into streams and reservoirs is 55 to 65 percent of normal.
“We're in the same predicament,” said Frank Christina, who tracks Mount Shasta precipitation totals for the National Weather Service.
Christina said in March and April 2008 combined the town of Mount Shasta had slightly over 1 inch of precipitation, while the historic average for those two months is over 7 inches. And February 2008 was drier than normal too, with 3.3 inches of precipitation, compared to a normal of 6.5. “It's extremely dry,” said Christina. “And now we're going into what could be a record heat wave... If we have a dry spring, then a hot, dry summer, the fire danger will be terrifying.”
The Forest Service said several weeks of windy conditions have also contributed to the drying of ground fuels.
The Shasta-McCloud Management Unit is urging everyone to use extreme caution when conducting any type of burning and adhere to all legal requirements associated with your burn. The risk of fire escape can be reduced, the Forest Service says, by
pre-planning:
-- Make sure your pile has proper ground and overhead clearance free of combustibles.
-- Keep a shovel and a charged hose nearby.
-- Don't burn on windy days.
-- If your pile does escape, don't wait to call for assistance if needed.
The requirements for burn permits vary based on the type of burning and location. For more information call the USFS at 926-4511 or CAL FIRE at (530) 598-2622.
FROM: zepp@finestplanet.com