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Alex Cabrero ReportingToday's weather was a lot better than all the snowfall we had yesterday. The mountains are still covered in snow, but even still, there is a concern about wildfires.
All this snow is preventing the forest service and the Bureau of Land Management from doing their prescribed burns, which means, come wildfire season, there could be a lot more fuel to worry about.
Normally this is the time of year when the Forest Service starts thinking about summer and wildfires. But all this snow definitely sets their plans back.
Riva Duncan: "We haven't had the drying trend we need for a spring burn."
Riva Duncan works for the Forest Service. They've had plans to begin prescribed burns, decreasing the amount of fuel available for a wildfire, but so far, mother nature hasn't gone along with those plans.
Riva Duncan, Forest Service: "We haven't been able to do that. We plan to do it, but spring is actually a very difficult time."
Lots of snow and rain throughout Utah have made it tough for crews to get a head start to the wildfire season.
Loyal Clark, Forest Service: "We are up against a time limit. We do want to get in and to implement these projects."
But for all the unknowns with the upcoming wildfire season, there is one thing that is known right now. Beneath all this snow and moisture, vegetation is growing. And come the dry, hot summer months, that vegetation becomes fuel.
Loyal Clark: "It creates a situation where, if fire did get in there, it would lead to a large scale wildfire, which creates a serious problem."
It is near impossible to predict if something like that will happen this year, but with this much snow now, it's possible.
Riva Duncan: "As far as predictions go, that is a concern we have."
Forest service fire crews are on standby because if they get an opportunity to do these prescribed burns, they'll do it fast. It's better to be able to control the fire now than have to fight it later when it's out of control.
