Estimated read time: 2-3 minutes
This archived news story is available only for your personal, non-commercial use. Information in the story may be outdated or superseded by additional information. Reading or replaying the story in its archived form does not constitute a republication of the story.
Jed Boal ReportingWildfires have chased thousands from their homes in Southern California. The wildfires have burned through more than 15,000 acres of brush land parched by blistering spring heat waves. The two biggest fires are burning in Riverside County.
The fires in California are a warning to Utah fire officials that our own wildfire season is not far away.
Each of the last few years, spring conditions elevated fire danger. Big fires burned, but none of the years were as bad as they could have been. Fire officials hope that pattern continues.
It's training time for Utah firefighters; in a few weeks they may have little time for drills. State and federal fire managers say the season is already heating up.
Dick Buehler, Dpty. Dir.-Forestry Fire and State Lands: “We have the potential this year for have a disastrous fire season."
Firefighters had to put out more than 20 fires this past weekend in Southern Utah, mostly in Kane County, apparently all human caused and possibly by the same person.
Jim Thomas, National Forest Service Fire Management Officer: “Fire season is definitely on the upswing, and we're looking at a potentially higher than average year again."
The extended drought raises the risk of big fires.
Dick Buehler: “We've got fuels drying out extremely rapidly because of the lost moisture and higher temperatures."
Right now, all of the fine fuels, like grasses, that act as fire starter are green and growing. In the next couple of weeks they could dry out and start to die.
Dick Buehler: “Cheat grass is generally the first to dry out."
The invasive grass covers the entire state except the higher elevations.
Dick Buehler: “Within the next two weeks, that will be cured out enough to where it's flashy enough to burn."
Despite the damage, fire officials credit all of us in Utah for doing what we can to prevent wildfires. That prevention is critical; these firefighters will be busy throughout the region.
Jim Thomas, National Forest Service Fire Management Officer: “We're looking at an increase in fire activity and an above average season with the number of fires and number of acres burned."
If you live where the homes meet the wild land, this is a good time to clear out brush that could burn near your home.
