As we move into Saturday’s Pinpoint Alert Day with lightning in the forecast, state officials say they are watching an increased fire risk for the weekend.
This comes after weeks of hot and dry weather causing brutal conditions for firefighters on the front lines.
Department of Natural Resources Public Lands Commissioner Dave Upthegrove said there are currently 11 fires actively burning more than 500,000 acres across Washington.
“This weekend we’re expecting thunderstorms that bring lightning, and lightning can help start fires. It also brings wind,” Upthegrove said.
He tells us so far this fire season is the third largest in state history as far as acreage, but it’s leading as the most destructive when it comes to homes and property damaged.
“This has been a long and challenging fire season. We’ve had fires, obviously a high-profile fire in Spokane, where 65,000 people had to evacuate, and hundreds of homes were lost, families’ lives upended,” Upthegrove said.
He tells us this weekend’s fire risk is elevated, but there are simple ways for everyone to help avoid starting new flames.
“Currently, there are no fires allowed on any public lands in Washington State. Your motor vehicles are always a risk, whether you have chains dragging that can start sparks, or be careful not to park a hot car on dry grass,” Upthegrove said. “Throwing a cigarette butt in dry grass can start a fire, or even mowing your lawn, and a spark is thrown; it could be anything.”
Upthegrove said 95% of fires are put out before they even reach 10 acres, but tells us sometimes the spread can be too fast for the crews to control it quickly in perfect conditions.
Before you do something that could be reckless, he is asking everyone to remember the crews risking their lives.
“We have 5,000 fire crews working here right now from local jurisdictions in Western Washington all the way to states as far away as Alaska and Florida; they have been coming together to defend communities that they don’t even live in,” Upthegrove said.
Upthegrove tells us they are preparing and attacking problem areas as fast as they can.
“We trained up a wildfire fighting force. We pre-positioned equipment, airplanes, and fire engines around the state. We entered into mutual aid agreements with other states. We went out, and we built fire lines and thinned forests,” Upthegrove said.
He said they are prepared but hope the high-risk weekend doesn’t bring more destruction.
“Our firefighters have their hands full. We don’t need to be giving them more fires to fight right now.”
Our meteorologists here at KIRO 7 are monitoring the fires across the state and conditions closely. As any developments pop up, we will get them on air and online.
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