Fire danger ramps up as heat bears down

Hot, dry weather in the Flathead has triggered more human-caused ignitions than typical this time of year, according to state officials. And the weather conditions causing the danger are expected to continue throughout the week.

The Interagency Wildland Fire Cooperators classified fire danger in the Flathead as moderate on June 30. Ali Ulwelling, with the state Department of Natural Resources and Conservation, said below-average rainfall in June followed by dry conditions contributed to the rating.

“We’re seeing a lot of human-caused fires that we typically wouldn’t see until August,” Ulwelling said. “And the weather forecast for the next week looks hot, dry and in the 90s.”

She said in 2016, the Kalispell Unit of the department recorded 18 fires from early April through this time last year.

“We’ve had 18 fires so far this year, too, but our first fire wasn’t until May … due to our wet March and April,” she said. “So we’ve had as many fires, but in a much shorter time frame.”

Ulwelling said this June, the department saw 13 wildfires. Within the same month last year, there were three fires.

The National Weather Service is forecasting high temperatures in the low- to mid-90s through Sunday, with no rain in sight.

While there are fire crews on hand to cover the Flathead Valley, Ulwelling said many local firefighters have been called to Eastern Montana and the Southwest as fire conditions in other areas of the country intensify.

Based on the Flathead’s anticipated weather conditions, Ulwelling said lightning fires could be added to the mix.

“Firefighters will have their hands full fighting lightning fires; we don’t need to have them running around fighting human-caused fires,” she said.

Humans are the leading cause of wildfires in the U.S.

An analysis published by the National Academy of Sciences found that human-started wildfires accounted for 84 percent of all wildfires across the nation. The report explored two decades of government agency wildfire records.

The hand people play in igniting fires throughout the United States is altering the season, according to the analysis. Human-caused fires are extending the national fire season by three months. Over the period analyzed, fires started by people dominated an area seven times greater than that affected by lightning fires, and were responsible for nearly half of all area burned.

Ulwelling said fire causes vary based on each region. She said in the Flathead, the condition of the forest paired with a potential changing climate has contributed to “fire seasons starting earlier and lasting longer.”

She said anywhere between 70 and 80 percent of wildfires in the Flathead begin with humans.

“This year, we’ve already seen a couple of equipment fires we typically wouldn’t see until August because conditions are such that those spark ignitions are starting already,” Ulwelling said.

She said the majority of wildfires in the Flathead triggered by humans are caused by escaped and illegal debris burns.

Ulwelling said with people getting outside for the Fourth of July holiday this week, she hopes people will combine fire prevention with the fun.

“We have a lot of recreation, a lot of fireworks, hauling trailers with boats and campers, an expanding urban interface with people moving into forest areas — all of that is potential for a start,” Ulwelling said.

FIRE PREVENTION TIPS: Provided by the Montana Department of Natural Resources & Conservation

When setting off fireworks, remember they may quickly ignite grasses and forest fuels. Pay attention to where fireworks land and have water available to extinguish any fires.

Fireworks are not allowed on federal or state classified forest lands, including Flathead National Forest and Glacier National Park.

Have a bucket of water and a shovel on hand when planning to have a campfire, and make sure your campfire is cold to the touch before leaving.

If pulling a boat or camper trailer, adjust chains so they are not touching the ground. Dragging chains produce sparks that may ignite grass fires along roadsides.

Avoid driving or parking hot vehicles in dry grass.

Debris burning is prohibited during July, August and September due to fire season.

Reporter Katheryn Houghton may be reached at 758-4436 or by email at khoughton@dailyinterlake.com.