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900 W. Main St.,
PO Box 690 Grangeville, ID 83530
Phone: 208.983.1200 |
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| Fire managers advise caution due to dry conditions |
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Fire managers are advising public caution with campfires and burning yard debris due to extraordinarily dry and windy conditions, which recently have attributed to several recent blaze starts.
Snow survey data collected across Idaho earlier this month by the Natural Resources Conservation Service show February continued this winter's trend of below-normal precipitation. As of March 4, NRCS data showed the Clearwater Basin is at 60 percent of normal precipitation, and the Salmon River Basin is at 66 percent of normal precipitation.
According to Ruby McCollum, secretary for the Idaho Lewis County Fire Chiefs Association, a mild winter and dry conditions have been factors in several grass fires handled since the start of the year by the Salmon River Rural and White Bird fire departments.
In two recent instances at the White Water Wilderness Ranch and up the Twin Rivers Subdivision, property owners were clearing land and thought it was safe to burn. However, dry grass and wind moved both controlled burns out of control.
"Both of these homeowners did everything correct," according to McCollum, "but the wind and Mother Nature have their own idea of how things should be."
Fire departments in Idaho and Lewis counties remind both residents and visitors that conditions are right for a major fire this year and for everyone to be aware of their surroundings in respect to fire.
Most recently last Friday, March 5, a grass fire burned in the Cedar Creek Road area. Crews from the Ridge Runner and Kooskia fire departments responded. No significant damage or injuries were reported.
A reminder from the Nez Perce and Clearwater national forests that it is currently open burning season in Idaho County with the season to close between May 10 to Oct. 20 during which time burn permits are required. Exercise care as those involved in blaze starts may be held liable for property damage caused by an escaped fire.
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