Our lower and drier-than-average snowpack could lead to an early start to fire season. However, this issue is complex.
Dry and breezy weather can increase fire danger come summer. A reduced snowpack can also play an important role in elevating the threat for wildfires.
Large, destructive wildfires filled the air with dense smoke across the entire Pacific Northwest the last two summers.
"As someone with asthma, it was pretty difficult. It just, I mean, the general air quality and quality of life really declined as a result," said Western Washington resident Jack O'Hea.
It’s possible fire season could start earlier this year due to a reduced snowpack. February may have stacked up heavy snow over the higher elevations, but it wasn't enough to bring us up to normal snow levels for this time of year.
As of today, our snowpack is running in the 90th percentile for the southern Cascades. It’s a different story over in the central and northern Cascades where snowpack is just in the 70th percentage range. Even still, it’s too early to tell exactly how this may influence wildfires this summer.