The wildfire season is expanding earlier and later each year. Wildfires are approaching the point that they can be seen less as a “season” than as a year-long phenomenon.
Wildfire season
Although the wildfire season historically began as late as July, two large winter fires in Colorado and California, along with dozens of smaller fires, have increased statistics reported this year. In addition to Colorado, there have also been fires in Arkansas, California, Florida, Georgia, Louisiana, North Carolina, Oklahoma, and Texas.
Because fires are extending through December and then into January, California’s Department of Forestry and Fire Protection (CAL FIRE) is steering away from the term “wildfire season” and in the future will consider the totality of fires during a calendar year.
Increased fire activity
Year-to-date acres burned in the United States are about 112% above the 10-year average
Dry conditions and winds contribute to increasing numbers of wildfires. The National Significant Wildland Fire Potential Outlook notes that fire activity increased in May, mostly in the Southwest Area, but also with activity in California, the southern Great Basin, and southern Colorado.
Year-to-date acres burned in the United States are about 112% above the 10-year average, according to the National Interagency Fire Center’s outlook. The center says wildfires have burned almost 1.3 million acres nationwide this year.
Managing wildfire threats
This spring, a monster blaze in northern New Mexico started as an intentional U.S. Forest Service burn; set to thin forests of built-up fuel to prevent larger fires. However, unexpected erratic winds caused the burn to expand into a massive wildfire that threatened communities.
Fueled by overgrown forests devoid of moisture, the fire later merged with a nearby Calf Canyon fire of unknown origins. Some fear the massive New Mexico fire will cause a backlash against intentional burns, which are seen as an important tool in managing the threat of wildfires. New Mexico state officials have called for an investigation.
Impact of Climate change
Wind conditions can spread fires faster than respondents can arrive on a scene
Predictions are not optimistic for the rest of the year in the West, where drought and warmer weather are worsening fire danger. Most of the West, Plains, and Texas remain in drought, and there are areas of drought in the Southeast and Hawaii, notes the National Interagency Fire Center. Temperatures were above normal across the Southwest, Texas, and east of the Mississippi River.
Most experts say that climate change causes higher temperatures that turn dry vegetation into fuel. Because of the dry conditions, even smaller fires that might have previously been easily contained can instead generate extreme threats to property and life. Wind conditions can spread fires faster than respondents can arrive on a scene.
Electric utility
Electric utility companies have also been linked to wildfires. Last year, SoCal Edison agreed to a settlement of more than half a billion dollars for its role in five wildfires in 2017 and 2018.
This year in California, as of May, there have been some 2,711 wildfires 2022 that have impacted 10,861 acres across the state. Even so, the season is not expected to peak until late summer and fall. The previous two years had the highest (2020) and second-highest (2021) numbers of acres in history burned in California.
Delayed start of wildfire season
The moisture contributes to the growth of more fuels such as invasive grasses that could drive larger fires
In Oregon, spring moisture has delayed the start of wildfire season, but an expected labor shortage could diminish response capabilities when wildfires resume this summer.
The moisture could also contribute to the growth of more fuels such as invasive grasses that could drive larger fires. Half the state is in extreme drought or worse.
Hiring fire personnel
Federal agencies have struggled to attract and retain wildfire personnel in recent years, competing with private contractors for workers. Federal officials are looking to hire roughly 16,900 fire personnel that including hotshots, smokejumpers, and helitack crews.
Twenty-eight members of Congress sent a letter calling on the U.S. Forest Service and the Department of Interior, the two federal agencies that fight wildfires, to create a special pay rate for federal firefighters to avert critical staffing shortages.
