Fire Danger Forecast?

Kathy · Post by **Kathy** » Wed Jul 19, 2006 5:03 am

In another "Weather" topic thread, Stevo had mentioned the fires we have going on here in MN in the Boundary Waters area and asked about the fire danger forecast this year for Glacier.....anyone have any insights? I believe it was a fairly good snow year, right? But haven't seen much rain on the webcams....are there any concerns right now for this year's "fire season"?

BearCaveIdaho · Post by **BearCaveIdaho** » Sun Mar 25, 2007 1:27 pm

"The Northern Rockies Coordination Center (NRCC) is the interagency focal point for coordinating the mobilization of resources for wildland fire, wildland fire use, prescribed fire and other all-risk incidents throughout the Northern Rockies Area and, when necessary, for assignment throughout the United States. Located in Missoula, Montana, the Center also provides Intelligence and Predictive Services related-products to support wildland fire managers and firefighters in the decision making process throughout the Northern Rockies.."

http://gacc.nifc.gov/nrcc/index.htm

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http://activefiremaps.fs.fed.us/lg_fire2.php

dorf · Post by **dorf** » Sun Mar 25, 2007 8:34 pm

If I were to bet right now, I'd say it's going to be another nasty fire year.

http://www.wcc.nrcs.usda.gov/gis/snow.html Click on "percent of normal"

It's looking like most of the northern Rockies are at 80% of normal or lower. Heck, the same can be said for everywhere for that matter. The good news is that there's a little more snow up in Glacier. However, this can easily be depleted with another warm spring.

Check here for Montana snow pack depth
http://www.wcc.nrcs.usda.gov/snotel/Mon ... ntana.html

Heff936 · Post by **Heff936** » Mon Mar 26, 2007 5:39 am

After a reportedly big snow year last year, I was shocked at how fast the snow and water disappeared. By late July the Park was very dry already with very little snow left. I hope this year proves cooler but I suspect Dorf's concern about fire danger will prove right.

Stevo · Post by **Stevo** » Mon Mar 26, 2007 3:22 pm

There is more snow expected, at least on the east side of the park. A winter storm watch is in effect for Tuesday. Accumulations in higher elevations could be 8-12 inches and 4-8 at lower elevations. Let it snow...let it snow...let it snow.

BTW, has anyone seen a plowing schedule yet? Don't they usually begin the first week in April?

scott-atl · Post by **scott-atl** » Tue Apr 03, 2007 11:02 am

it's my understanding that they started plowing yesterday. hopefully it won't be a bad fire season. i advocated a glacier hotspot team, on call 24 hours a day, during acute fire weather, at a glacier 'listening session' last week. the park needs to improve it's fire response time. it was about 8 hours before they checked out the red eagle blaze last year. then it was too late. could have lost the town of st mary. got real lucky.

daveparker · Post by **daveparker** » Tue Apr 03, 2007 11:25 am

Hi Scott,

Great Idea, we have been advocating that they have a summer time rapid response fire team on staff for years now at the national parks that pose the highest level of threat during the season, unfortunately it has fell on deaf ears so far, hopefully they will start listening..

Dave