Wildfire season could ramp up as drought covers over 40% of the US; plus, 8 backcountry skiers killed after California avalanche

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and a nutshell.

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More than 40% of the United States is experiencing drought heading into the spring, and that

dryness combined with warmer than average conditions is setting the stage for an active

start to the wildfire season in parts of the country.

AccuWeather meteorologist Brandon Buckingham said, the most concerning areas this spring

will stretch from the interior west into the plains with additional pockets of elevated

risk across Florida and parts off the mid-Atlantic.

Conditions across the four corners have been exceptionally dry and warm this winter with

record low snowpack reported in some areas and long-term drought firmly in place.

That combination raises concerns about early fuel drying before the landscape has a chance

to green up.

Buckingham said that across the nation this spring, the four corners region and the adjacent

front range and high plains are expected to feature the highest risk for wildfire activity.

On Tuesday, the Oklahoma Department of Emergency Management reported widespread wildfire

activity across Beaver, Texas, and Woodward counties prompting activation of the state

emergency operations center and coordinated support from multiple state, federal, and tribal

partners.

The Ranger Roadfire alone has burned an estimated 145,000 acres with grass and brush burning

across both Oklahoma and Indicanzas on Wednesday and the continued threat of critical

fire weather conditions, combined with several other smaller fires, including the Stevens,

Side Road, and 43 road fires.

The total acreage impacted across the region has topped 155,000 acres.

About half a dozen structures were destroyed on Tuesday after the blaze started.

Fear swends gusting over 60 miles per hour helped propel flames rapidly north eastward

through dry grasslands, overwhelming initial containment efforts, and grounding aerial

firefighting operations.

High wind speeds have also contributed to dangerous blowing dust and poor visibility,

creating secondary hazards for travelers on regional roadways.

Above average temperatures and below average precipitation are expected to persist across

the region through much of the spring.

When strong wind events develop, especially before widespread vegetation growth,

fire danger can escalate quickly.

Below average snowfall will also cause wildfire concerns in Montana, Idaho, and Wyoming.

Storms in March should help limit early season fire risk, but drier conditions in April and May

could allow fuels to dry earlier than the historical average.

In California, a few storms late in the winter could help offset some short-term dryness,

but fire concerns will increase by May.

Higher humidity will help reduce the fire thread along the coast,

but any wind events could briefly spike that risk.

Accuether will provide a more detailed breakdown of the California wildfire forecast later in the spring.

Temperatures have been above too well above average across much of the central and southern

plains this winter, while drought has expanded and intensified.

When fronts move through with gusty winds, it will create prime conditions for fast-moving fires

with the western halves of Texas, Oklahoma, Kansas, Nebraska, and Eastern Colorado,

likely to face a moderate to high risk for wildfire activity through the spring season,

particularly during windy periods preceding green up.

Farther north in the Dakotas and parts of Montana,

late season snow will help to suppress overall wildfire risk compared to areas farther south.

The wildfire risk is not expected to be as widespread in the eastern US as in other regions of the

country, but there will be pockets where fires could break out when conditions align.

Florida stands out as the area of greatest concern, in part due to winter freezes that may have

damaged smaller vegetation adding to the availability of fuels.

Portions of the southeast are expected to face the highest wildfire risk across the region,

due to ongoing drought and the climatological tendency for dry stretches prior to the onset

of the summer rainy season. In the mid-Atlantic, drought remains entrenched in some areas

despite winter snow cover. The highest risk of wildfires will likely occur after the snow melts.

The ground dries out and before trees and vegetation begins to leaf out.

As spring progresses and vegetation emerges near to above average precipitation,

should help keep overall fire danger near seasonal levels,

though brief periods of elevated risk are possible on dry and windy days.

Well, another force of nature reared its ugly head this week in California.

Eight skiers were buried and died in an avalanche near Lake Tahoe in Northern California's

Sierra Nevada Mountains amid heavy snow and extreme weather conditions. One skier is still missing.

Six others participating in the three-day backcountry trip had previously been rescued

with various injuries. The skiers were on the final stretch of their trip and were returning

to the trailhead Tuesday morning when a wave of ice, rocks and debris came crashing down on them.

The avalanche spanned about a football field's length of the mountain.

The disaster at Castle Peak set off a dangerous hours-long rescue effort,

hampered by heavy snow and strong winds from the winter storm roaring through the rugged Sierra

Nevada Mountains. An avalanche warning remained in effect for the greater Lake Tahoe area through

Thursday morning, as the search continues, rescue crews face additional rounds of snow,

gusty winds and more avalanche danger this week that could hinder rescue efforts.

That's all for now. You can find more regional forecasts and science-based articles at acuether.com

and for your local forecast at your fingertips download the acuether app.

Enjoy the rest of your day. Be safe. I'll be back tomorrow with more from acuether.

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