Dry conditions expected to fuel early wildfire season

Wildfire fuels like brush, needles and trees are already drier than normal — more typical of what would be seen in early June — officials with Central Oregon Fire Management Services said Wednesday.

“Due to the weather we’ve had so far this year, we’re anticipating an earlier fire season — and what could turn out to be a very busy fire season,” said Deschutes National Forest fuels specialist Deana Wall.

Low moisture and snowpack, coupled with unseasonably warm temperatures, have fire managers gearing up early. Although aviation fire crews are not scheduled to come on duty until July, that could change.

Other fire personnel are already clocking in.

“We have number of folks that we are bringing on early for our temporary hiring,” said Fire and Aviation Staff Officer Alex Robertson. “We just to make sure we are prepared for an earlier start to fire season.”

Managers are also worried that a predicted bad fire season across both the Northwest and Midwest could mean federal resources will be spread thin.

“That means higher competition for those same resources,” Robertson said. “The aviation resources, the helicopters, hotshot crews — it’s a concern for everyone right now.”